John Stephenson (baseball)

John Herman Stephenson is an American former professional baseball player who appeared in 451 games played, primarily as a catcher and pinch hitter, in the Major Leagues from to for the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and California Angels. On June 21, 1964, while with the Mets, he struck out for the final out of Jim Bunning's perfect game.
Stephenson batted left-handed, threw right-handed, and was listed as tall and. Born in South Portsmouth, Kentucky, he holds a degree from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Stephenson entered pro baseball in the Mets' organization on May 30, 1963. In his finest season, with the Angels, he batted.381, with a home run and six runs batted in, as a pinch hitter, hitting a career-best.274 overall. The previous season, also spent with the Angels, saw him set career marks in games played, hits, homers and RBI.
Overall, Stephenson batted.216 with 214 hits, 37 doubles, three triples, 12 homers and 93 RBI. He retired from pro ball after the 1973 campaign, then went on to coach extensively in the minor leagues as well as in college baseball.