A couple of months ago, I wanted to do posts on the worst rated rookie cards every made. In the mid 1980s prospecting was tough, here was a list of the 1985 Rated Rookies:
| 27 | Danny Tartabull | Rated Rookie |
| 28 | Mike Bielecki | Rated Rookie |
| 29 | Steve Lyons | Rated Rookie |
| 30 | Jeff Reed | Rated Rookie |
| 31 | Tom Brewer | Rated Rookie |
| 32 | John Morris | Rated Rookie |
| 33 | Daryl Boston | Rated Rookie |
| 34 | Alfonso Pulido | Rated Rookie |
| 35 | Steve Kiefer | Rated Rookie |
| 36 | Larry Sheets | Rated Rookie |
| 37 | Scott Bradley | Rated Rookie |
| 38 | Calvin Schiraldi | Rated Rookie |
| 39 | Shawon Dunston | Rated Rookie |
| 40 | Charlie Mitchell | Rated Rookie |
| 41 | Billy Hatcher | Rated Rookie |
| 42 | Russ Stephens | Rated Rookie |
| 43 | Alejandro Sanchez | Rated Rookie |
| 44 | Steve Jeltz | Rated Rookie |
| 45 | Jim Traber | Rated Rookie |
| 46 | Doug Loman | Rated Rookie |
We are definitely not talking about Hall of Famers here, however there is one name that stood out. Russ Stephans has no major league stats. Now to be fair to Donruss, in 1983 he was promoted to the Royals, however he never got into any games. This is probably why he was named a rated rookie. The sad truth to the matter was that in 1984 he had a stellar season, even being named to the AAA All Star team. He was considered a shoe in for a September call up.
It never happened though, he injured his shoulder in August and being a catcher, he was never really the same. Just two years later he retired from baseball at the ripe old age of 25. Back in the 80s though to even get your own card was special, so the fact that he showed up as a Rated Rookie (developing from a 49th round draft pick no less) is pretty special. He though would be one of the few Rated Rookies to never play in Major League Baseball.
Doug Loman should be right up there with Stephens.He was a second round pick who barely lasted two years before packing it in.
I like the new layout!
anyone who knows Russ Stephans or who were honored to call him “my catcher” knows that Russ was one of the , if not the best catchers, in all of baseball. If it weren’t for 20 major arm and knee surguries, you’d be talking about Russ and forgets names such as Pugh Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, as so on. Russ is still having his knees worked on because of him chasing balls in the dirt throw my me so they didn;t go to the backstop. Please add to this if you know Russ Stephans, and overrated rookie,try underrated and unappreciative. I would of never made it to pro ball in the minors if it weren’t for russ so exit this statement before you know all the facts, NATIONAL INQUIRY
I’ve known Russ I’d guess my entire life. He’s always lived and breathed baseball. My dad was one of his best friends since they were kids, and he had always told me how good Russ was and how he came SO close to making it to the show and actually getting to play, but injuries really derailed his career. It’s too bad that happened because going from playing baseball for a living to anything else must be hard when you have to quit before really making it.