Sammy Stewart

Who is Sammy Stewart?

Samuel Lee "Sammy" Stewart, is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1978 to 1987. He attended Owen High School in Swannanoa, NC and Montreat College, and signed his first pro contract with the Baltimore Orioles in 1975. He pitched in 359 major league games, finishing with a 59–48 record, 45 saves, and a 3.59 ERA.

Stewart established a new record for most consecutive strikeouts in a MLB debut with seven in the Orioles' 9–3 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the second game of a twi-night doubleheader at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 1978. His performance surpassed the previous milestone established by Karl Spooner in 1954. In 1981, Stewart led the American League in ERA. Stewart appeared in the 1979 World Series and 1983 World Series as a member of the Orioles.

Stewart was sentenced in October 2006 to 80 to 105 months in the Buncombe Correctional Center on drug possession charges after accepting a plea bargain as a habitual felon. He was released in January 2013. He has been charged 46 times with more than 60 offenses since 1988, and has spent 25 months in prison over six separate stints. He has admitted to being a "crack addict."