COCOA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
From Little League to the Big Leagues: Billy Stein’s Rocky Road to Baseball Glory
Where It All Began
Growing up in the sunny town of Cocoa, Billy Stein didn’t just dream of baseball—he lived it. He packed a bag of gloves and bat and dove into every local league the town had to offer:
- Little League – where tiny arms swung big swings.
- Babe Ruth – where the kids learned to hit like legends.
- Legion Ball – a place that tested stamina and teamwork.
- Connie Mack – where the competition got as spirited as a Saturday fireworks show.
Once all those innings were clocked, Billy stepped onto the field for Cocoa High, ready to take the next step up.
The Ride to Baseball Stardom
What followed is the kind of journey every kid’s hero would envy:
- 14 seasons sliding and sprinting across Major League Baseball grids.
- Playing for not one, not two, but four different MLB clubs – a true connoisseur of teamwork and change.
- Leaving a legacy that fans still talk about over a cup of coffee—
- And making a name that echoes, “Remember when Stein was in the mix?”
Key Takeaways
Stein’s story reminds us that perseverance in tiny local leagues builds a rock-solid foundation for the big leagues. It’s the kind of tale that gets pitched at Friday nights, feels as fresh as a new glove, and reminds everyone that the dream can start in the sandbox and end in stadium lights.
2016 PROFESSIONAL INDUCTEE: Drafted In 1969 By St. Louis Cardinals, Lifetime Batting Average of .267, Among American League’s Best Pinch Hitters
From Little League Dreams to the MLB Spotlight: Billy Stein’s Space Coast Journey
Billy Stein grew up on Florida’s Space Coast, dreaming big in every ball‑pit he tackled—from Little League in Cocoa to the dusty diamond of Louise‑Lee High School. His baseball story is as grounded in community as it is lofty in ambition.
Early Roots in Cocoa
- Little League Big Boys team
- Class‑A Babe Ruth league
- Regional Legion ball
- Local Connie Mack circuit
Each league taught him a new piece of the game, building a foundation that would later help him leap into professional ranks.
College Life & Military Pause
After finishing high school in 1965, Stein enrolled at Brevard Community College. He wowed teammates until he had to pause his studies and baseball for a year, serving in the U.S. Army. A rite of passage that added a layer of discipline to his game.
The Draft Shuffle
In 1968, the Baltimore Orioles drafted him in the 33rd round, but Stein chose college baseball over a rookie contract, selecting Southern Illinois University Salukis—one of the Division I powerhouses then. Their yearly World Series runs were a warm cider of confidence—so he felt; his rookie alley was still closing.
Fast‑forward 363 days later, the St. Louis Cardinals convinced him to sign the offer this time, picking him in the fourth round of the 1969 draft. A jump of 29 rounds—his patience paid off!
Major League Debut
On September 6, 1972, after more than three seasons of climbing the minor‑league ladder, Stein made his first MLB appearance for the Cardinals. Batting leadoff, he took five plate appearances, striking out and then sealing the night with a home run off Philadelphia’s Ken Reynolds in the bottom of the ninth—a perfect opening act.
Career Highlights
- Seven‑year stretch with the Cardinals (1972‑1978)
- Three‑year stint with the Seattle Mariners (1979‑1981)
- One season with the Chicago White Sox (1982)
- Final chapter with the Texas Rangers (1983‑1985)
His last outright home run? A neat one‑stanza strike in the first inning of a 9‑2 win against the weak‑handed Rangers on August 17, 1985—proving that even the final chapters can be memorable.
Reflections & Legacy
From the space‑western streets of Cocoa to the bright lights of the MLB, Billy Stein carved a 13‑year path that taught us patience, perseverance, and the glory of catching that home‑plate moment. A keeper of the Space Coast’s baseball folklore, he reminds us that dots of ambition can spark a full‑length homer.
Meet Billy Stein: The Quiet Artillery of the Mound
“Got a Pick?” – The 1969 Draft
When the St. Louis Cardinals drafted Billy Stein in the fourth round of 1969, they were looking for a hidden gem. He’d prove they found one by packing a decade of solid play into the majors, hopping from the Cardinals to the Mariners, a stint in Chicago, and finally settling on the Rangers.
Positions, Numbers, and Honesty
- Played double‑digit games at every spot except shortstop, pitcher, and catcher.
- Turned 96.5 % of hard batted balls into outs — the ultimate “fielding handwriting” for the team.
- Career batting average of .267, but when he hit the big leagues in Texas, he bumped that up to a sweet .285.
The Pinch‑Hit Prodigy
In baseball, the cliché “clutch” can feel as slippery as a pitcher’s slider. But not for Stein. He was asked to pinch‑hit 179 times, and emerged with a .282 average, powering 36 crucial RBI in late‑game jam sessions.
Life After the Plate
- Had a brief coaching stint at several independent leagues, then moved on to manage Class A affiliates of the Mets and Giants during the late ’80s and early ’90s.
- Led the Rockledge Raiders in 1987 to a district title as their manager.
- After hanging up his gloves in 1985, he called Texas home, eventually moving to Palm Coast, Florida in 2013.
Still a Field Surgeon in His Golden Years
Even in Palm Coast, Stein’s versatility hasn’t dimmed. He’s a regular in the Flagler County Senior Softball League, swapping infield spots and throwing strikes for the local pitching stars.
Meet Cocoa’s Baseball Legend: Billy Stein
Biology: 14 seasons, four MLB teams, and a lifetime at Cocoa High.
Billy Stein spent every ball‑playing chapter of his life on the Space Coast, from the Little League diamonds to the Babe Ruth fields, through Legion Ball and Connie Mack, before pitching his talents at Cocoa High School.
Pinch‑Hit Magic
Picture this: 179 pinch‑stints, a .282 average, and 36 clutch RBI’s that turned late‑game moments into victories.
If Stein could master one baseball skill, it was stepping in clutch: a true art that few masters. Live, breathe it – that’s Billy.
Where the Space Coast Merges Past and Present
From Provost Park in Cocoa, to the turned‑up yards of Brevard Community College, to the legendary Arlington Stadium in Texas, Billy’s footprint is part of the rich tapestry of Space Coast sports. Every throw and swing echoes a legacy that’s been celebrated for over a century.
The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame
- Founded by Space Coast Daily in 2012.
- Welcome to the club: More than 140 athletes, coaches, and personalities honored.
- Four categories: Professional, College, High School, Amateur Sports.
- Special honorary recognition for those who gave the Coast a love for sports.
Want to Join the Hall?
Send a note to Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com or give the hotline a ring at 321-615-8111.
Explore the roster of members here (just enter a search into your browser; no direct link allowed).
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