GRAVETTE — An old saying, "A red letter day," has been around a long time; it's a saying which alludes to a special event, one which a person can remember as a good memory for the rest of his or her life. For a young man who grew up in the Hiwasse/Gravette area, such a special "red letter day" occurred on a June day in 1953.
Officially, summer hadn't quite arrived on June 18 of that year, but the hot bat of 20-year-old Glen Eugene Stephens officially carved his name in the Major League baseball record book. Gene, as he was known, was an outfielder with the Boston Red Sox. Playing against the Detroit Tigers, he was the only major league player in the entire 20th century who had three hits in one inning.
It was 70 years earlier, in a September game in 1883, when three Chicago Cubs players, Ned Williamson, Tommy Burns and Fred Pfeffer, each had three hits in an inning.
Stephens made headlines in the Gravette News Herald after his 3-in-1 feat: "A record, which was 50-plus years in the making and will stand at least that much or longer, was written into the baseball record books last week, June 18, 1953, when a local boy, Gene Stephens, was given credit for three hits in a single inning of play for the Boston Red Sox."
Ironically, after a new century had rolled over, it was just a few days past 50 years when another Red Sox outfielder, Johnny Damon, joined the 3-in-1 fraternity. He had three hits in the first inning in a June 27, 2003, game against the Florida Marlins.
Again, ironically, it was on June 18 of this year, 64 years to the day of Gene's accomplishment, that he was visited at his Granbury, Texas, residence by another well-known Gravette native, U.S. District Judge (inactive) Jimm Larry Hendren. "I well recall Gene's prowess as an athlete," Hendren said, and added, "He was an idol and hero of
"I well recall Gene's prowess as an athlete," Hendren said. "He was an idol and hero of many young youth (including me) in our area. It was my pleasure to visit with Gene and to recall with him Gravette's legendary 'Coach Mac' and others whom we both knew," Hendren added.
Gene, the son of William and Ellen Stephens, was born Jan. 20, 1933, in the Hiwasse/Gravette area, where his father ran a sawmill. Besides getting a dose of sawmill operations, Gene attended Hiwasse School, where he played baseball and, also in the summer, in what might be called sandlot ball. Because of consolidation, Gene attended his senior year at Gravette High School in 1950. He was on the first string basketball and, of course, baseball team coached by Coach Bernard McAbee, which no doubt added to his baseball skills, particularly his speed, his pitching and batting talent.
Besides playing with the Hiwasse, Gravette and Bentonville area teams, he played as a member of the Rogers American Legion team and with the Rogers home team, where he compiled a hitting average of .476. This information was included in a report in the Gravette News Herald, which added, "At present, he is enrolled at the University of Arkansas. He is 17 years old, six feet, three inches tall." But the important first paragraph of the story read: "Stephens, the former member of the Junior League team, has signed with the Boston Red Sox of the American League."
In information on a TOPPS baseball card during his Red Sox era, Stephens was described as "tall, spindly, and reminds Red Sox followers of Ted Williams." At that time he was filling in for one of baseball's greatest sluggers, Williams, who was serving with the Marines in Korea. The card also added that "Gene (an outfielder) rates as one of the better outfielders in the game, with a .973 fielding average."
A quote from an unidentified clipping noted, "According to the national sports writers, other baseball records probably fell on that terrific (3-in-1) inning, but Stephens' record-breaking performance was highlighted in the stories of that game. During the seventh inning, against Detroit, the Red Sox sent 23 batters to the plate, picked up 14 hits (two singles and a double by Stephens), six walks and 17 runs. The final score was Red Sox 23, Tigers 3.
Following a year with a North Carolina league affiliate where Gene batted .400 and was named Rookie of the Year in 1951, he was with the Red Sox for eight years from 1952 to 1960. Later he played with the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Athletics and ended his major league career with the Chicago White Sox in 1974.
Following his retirement from baseball, Gene and his wife, the former Jean Johnson, who was also from Gravette, and their family lived in Oklahoma City. Following his retirement in sales for a major oil company, they moved to Granbury, Texas, to make their home. His wife Jean passed away in July 2010. His residence for the past several years has been at Arbor House, 900 Autumn Ridge Drive, Granbury, TX 76048.
Hendren said, "He seemed to really appreciate my visit. I would encourage all who have fond memories of Gene Stephens to visit him or drop him a note at the Arbor House address. I'm sure he would appreciate seeing or hearing from folks who remember him."
Addendum: As mentioned, Gene had the misfortune of playing backup man for one of baseball's greatest hitters, Ted Williams. Both men played the same outfielder position. Stephens' appearances so often were limited to one inning in a game unless Williams was out with an injury or during his Korean service. Williams, in his autobiography, paid tribute to the young man: "He could run like a deer. If I had that boy's speed, I know my lifetime average would have been 20 points higher."
Another Gravette native, Bob Kelley, also a Stephens admirer, relates he also bought bubble gum and baseball cards. His collection includes 11 Gene Stephens cards and other memorabilia of the Hiwasse/Gravette baseball record holder.
You can read more about Stephens and his "red letter day" at various websites.
Dodie Evans is the former owner and editor of the Gravette News Herald. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Sports on 09/27/2017