#679 Astros Rookies

Special format…two players…complete stats on back…both players had come from other organizations to the Astros for 1972…Both named Bob…here goes

Bob Fenwick…only 56 MLB career at bats but incredibly interesting story…Asian American who is closely associated with oddly enough, Minnesota…was born as an American citizen in Okinawa in 1946…Only second Japanese America to be a big leaguer…as a child grew up primarily the Minneapolis suburb of Anoka…Played for University of Minnesota…Drafted by Giants and proceeded through their farm system…Hit at a .332 clip for AAA Phoenix… had 13 triples which was good for second in the league…despite the stellar year was not called up by the Giants…Taken by Astros in rule 5 for 1972…had to spend year with big club…Traded to St Louis for the 1973 season but the new opportunity proved to be an illusion…had less playing time and was released…hooked up with Houston and Cubs organizations giving him four teams for the year…Signed by the Padres’ affiliate in Hawaii for 1974…retired in mid season and settled in the Northern Minnesota Boundary Waters area…talks romantically and openly about his days in baseball and heritage without regret…check it out. http://bfenwickhistory.weebly.com/about-bob.html

Bob Stinson.....Scrap Iron… a nickname defining a blue collar work ethic, nothing glamorous… Product of Dodgers organization then to St Louis system… Hit very well in AAA Tulsa in 1971 garnering a .324 clip…trade to Houston did not result in playing time but he did stay on the roster all year…Was purchased by Montreal and hit .261 as a backup in 1973…had poor follow up season next year hitting .171…was traded to KC where he reestablished himself as a back up…Selected by the Seattle Mariners where he became the franchise’s first regular backstop…Best season was 1978 when had 11 home runs, 55 RBI’s and .258 Avg…In 1979 yielded more playing time to Larry Cox even though Bob was a greater asset offensively…Released in 1980.