Mitchell Jack "Mickey" Stanley (born July 20, 1942) is an American former professional baseball player.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Stanley signed with the Detroit Tigers organization in 1960. After four years in the Tigers' minor league organization, he made his major league debut in September 1964. He remained with the Tigers for 15 years from 1964 to 1978. He appeared in 1,516 games with the Tigers, 1,175 of them as a center fielder. He won four American League Gold Glove Awards (1968, 1969, 1970, and 1973) and ranked among baseball's all-time leaders in career fielding percentage by an outfielder.

While generally a center fielder, when it came time for the games leading up to the 1968 World Series, Detroit manager Mayo Smith moved Stanley to shortstop, which ultimately paid off in a world championship.

After retiring from baseball, Stanley became a builder and real estate developer in Livingston County, Michigan. He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

Early life

Stanley was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1942. His father, James, drove a truck at night for the Oven Fresh Bakery. He attended Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids where he played baseball, basketball, and football. He played in the infield and pitched for Ottawa Hills. and compiled a .373 batting average as a senior in 1960.

Stanley spent four years in the Tigers' minor league organization. In 1962, he played for the Duluth Dukes in the outfield with Jim Northrup and Willie Horton—a trio that later played together in Detroit for more than a decade. Stanley's speed and fielding talents impressed, but his failure to hit for average delayed his progress to the big league roster. He hit .252 with the Knoxville Smokies at Double-A level in 1963.

In mid-September 1964, Stanley was called up by the Tigers, making his major league debut on September 13, playing in left field in place of Gates Brown. At the time, Al Kaline called Stanley "the best young outfielder we have had in the minors since I started here." Stanley appeared in four major league games in 1964, compiling a .273 batting average in 11 at bats.

In 1966, Stanley made the big league roster and began the season as the team's starting center fielder. In mid-May, he broke a bone in his left little finger when he fell at his home after washing his car. He returned to the lineup in mid-June and appeared in a total of 92 games, 82 in center field. He ended up leading the team with a .289 batting average and finished the season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 174 chances in center field. Stanley credited his improved batting in 1966 to acting manager Frank Skaff giving him more playing time in the second half of the season and boosting his confidence.

1968 season

During the Tigers' 1968 season, Stanley helped the team win the American League pennant with a 103–59 record. He appeared in 153 games, including 131 in center field, 15 at first base, nine at shortstop, and one inning at second base. He compiled a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in center field and won his first American League Glove Award. At the plate, he posted a .259 batting average with 11 home runs and 60 RBIs. The Boston Globe rated it as "the gutsiest move in history."

1969–1974

In 1969, Mayo Smith continued his experiment playing Stanley at shortstop. That year, Stanley played 58 games at shortstop. However, Stanley's batting average dropped precipitously while playing at shortstop, and he returned to center field for 99 games. His batting average recovered when he was returned to center field, and he finished the 1969 season with a .235 batting average, 16 home runs, and a career-high 70 RBIs. He remained a fixture in center field for the 1971 Tigers, appearing in 139 games at the position with a .983 fielding percentage. He appeared in 139 games in center field and compiled a .987 fielding percentage. His batting average dropped to .234 with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs.

In 1974, Stanley played 90 games at center field and compiled a .986 fielding percentage. However, his batting average dropped to .221, the lowest by Stanley since 1967.

1975–1978

With LeFlore taking over in center field, Stanley in February 1975 said, "For the first time I feel like I'm on the outside looking in", while adding, "I want to stay in Detroit. I want to stay in Michigan. This is my home and this is where I want to play." He became a utility player and late-inning defense replacement during the 1975 season, appearing in 15 games in center field, 14 in left field, 14 at first base, seven at third base, and one as the team's designated hitter. At the end of the 1978 season, Stanley's contract with the Tigers expired, though Stanley expressed his desire to continue playing.

During the 1978 season, Stanley was a bridge between the Tigers 1968 and 1984 World Series teams. Having been a mainstay on the 1968 team, he was an aging veteran playing alongside rookies Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Lance Parrish, and Jack Morris. He was released by the Tigers in December 1978.

Career statistics

In 15 major league seasons, all with the Tigers, Stanley appeared in 1,516 games, including 1,175 in center field, 94 at first base, 79 in right field, 74 at shortstop, 42 in left field, 18 at third base, five as designated hitter, and four at second base.

In 1978, Stanley moved to Green Oak Township in Livingston County, Michigan, and later to Genoa Township in Livingston County. He became a builder and developer. He also served on the board of directors of Brighton Commerce Bank.

He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

Footnotes

See also

  • List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise