James J. Stehle

Category
2023
About This Inductee

Jim grew up in the East End section of Wilkes-Barre. He graduated from Coughlin High School in 1973 where he earned 7 letters in baseball and football, His senior year he was captain of both the baseball and football teams, He was named to Wyoming Valley Coaches All Star teams in 1973 for both sports. At Coughlin, he was named Outstanding Athlete of the Year in 1973. In addition, he was named to the Pennsylvania American Legion All East baseball team in 1974.

After high school Jim attended Wilkes College graduated with a BA degree in History in 1977. During these years he played baseball under the legendary coach Gene Domzalski. Domzalski was able to put together great teams in the 1970’s that went on to compete for the first time in the Division Three Baseball College World Series and finished in fourth place in 1976. Stehle

was a three-time Middle Atlantic Conference All-Star and was named the conference MVP in 1977. He was also named a Small College All-American in 1976 and a 1st team TOPP’S NCAA District Il All-Star in 1976 and a second team selection in 1977.

In his career Jim won 17 and lost just 3 while posting an ERA of .47. He struck out 261 batters in his college career and shared the Wilkes record for most strike outs in a game with 16 which accomplished he twice. He also holds the Wilkes mark for the consecutive strikeouts with eight and he struck out 10 or more in 12 games.

Jim was drafted in the fourth round in June 1976 MLB by the Chicago White Sox; however, he decided to return to Wilkes for his senior year, in 1977 he signed with the San Diego Padres and played two seasons in their farm system.

Following his baseball career Stehle went to work the for world’s largest brewer Anheuser-

Busch where he rose through the management ranks after field sales assignments in Detroit, Atlanta, Memphis, and West Palm Beach finally becoming General Manager of the Southeast

Region. Jim retired from the beer business after 28 years in 2010 and then taught history at St. Francis Day School in Roswell, Ga for ten years,

He resides in Atlanta, GA with his wife of 45 years, the former Tina Falcone of Pittston. His daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren also live in Atlanta.