Editing Matt Stairs

{{Short description|Canadian baseball player (born 1968)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| image = Matt Stairs 2011.jpg
| caption = Stairs with the Washington Nationals in 2011
| name = Matt Stairs
| position = [[Outfielder]] / [[Designated hitter]] / [[First baseman]]
| team = 
| number = 
| bats = Left
| throws = Right
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|2|27}}
| birth_place = [[Saint John, New Brunswick]], Canada
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate = May 29
| debutyear = 1992
| debutteam = Montreal Expos
|final2league = MLB
| final2date = July 22
| final2year = 2011
| final2team = Washington Nationals
|debut2league = NPB
| debut2date = June 15
| debut2year = 1993
| debut2team = Chunichi Dragons
|finalleague = NPB
| finaldate = October 18
| finalyear = 1993
| finalteam = Chunichi Dragons
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| stat1value  = .262
| stat2label  = [[Home run]]s
| stat2value  = 265
| stat3label  = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
| stat3value  = 899
|stat2league = NPB
| stat21label  = Batting average
| stat21value  = .250
| stat22label  = Home runs
| stat22value  = 6
| stat23label  = Runs batted in
| stat23value  = 23
| teams       = 
'''As player'''
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{mlby|1992}}–{{mlby|1993}})
* [[Chunichi Dragons]] ({{mlby|1993}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|1995}})
* [[Oakland Athletics]] ({{mlby|1996}}–{{mlby|2000}})
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|2001}})
* [[Milwaukee Brewers]] ({{mlby|2002}})
* [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ({{mlby|2003}})
* [[Kansas City Royals]] ({{mlby|2004}}–{{mlby|2006}})
* [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] ({{mlby|2006}})
* [[Detroit Tigers]] ({{mlby|2006}})
* [[Toronto Blue Jays]] ({{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2008}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2009}})
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|2010}})
* [[Washington Nationals]] ({{mlby|2011}})
'''As coach'''
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|2017}})
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|2018}})
| awards = 
* [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|2008}})
* MLB record 23 career pinch-hit home runs
| hofcolor= #EC1C40
| hoflink= Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
| hoftype= Canadian 
| hofdate= 2015
}}

'''Matthew Wade Stairs''' (born February 27, 1968) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] former professional [[baseball]] [[outfielder]], [[first baseman]], and [[designated hitter]], who holds the record for most [[Pinch hitter|pinch-hit]] [[home run]]s in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) history with 23.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 21, 2010|title=Stairs sets record for pinch hit home runs|language=en|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-padres-stairs-idUSTRE67L09420100822|access-date=June 18, 2013}}</ref> His pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning of [[2008 National League Championship Series#Game 4|Game 4]] in the [[2008 National League Championship Series]] off the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] [[Relief pitcher|reliever]] [[Jonathan Broxton]] was called "one of the most memorable home runs in Phillies history".<ref>{{cite web|last=Zolecki|first=Todd|date=May 11, 2009|title=Revisiting top 10 moments of '08 NLCS|url=http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/4676068|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007002948/http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/4676068/|archive-date=October 7, 2014|access-date=November 2, 2016|work=[[Philadelphia Phillies]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

In his career, Stairs played for more teams than any position player in MLB history (12—technically 13 teams, but 12 franchises, as he played for the [[Montreal Expos]] and [[Washington Nationals]]); [[Edwin Jackson (baseball)|Edwin Jackson]] holds the record for pitchers and all players at 14.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stark|first=Jayson|date=March 13, 2012|title=Stark: Dotel knows all about changing places|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2012/story/_/id/7677629/octavio-dotel-knows-all-changing-places|access-date=March 13, 2012|website=[[ESPN]]|language=en}}</ref> Additionally, he is one of only four Canadians to have played for both the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] and [[Montreal Expos]], the others being [[Denis Boucher]], [[Rob Ducey]], and [[Shawn Hill]].

He was the second Canadian-born player ever to hit more than thirty-five home runs in a season, and only the second to hit more than 25 home runs and drive in more than 100 runs in back-to-back seasons. He ranks either first or second in power hitting categories for Canadian major leaguers. Stairs also holds the all-time MLB record of home runs hit as a pinch-hitter with 23. His ability to pinch hit made him a valuable asset to several teams and earned him the nickname "Matt Stairs – Professional Hitter". Stairs, [[Larry Walker]], [[Justin Morneau]], [[Jason Bay]], and [[Joey Votto]] are the only Canadian MLB players to hit at least 200 career home runs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Players by birthplace: Canada Baseball Stats and Info|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/bio/Canada_born.shtml|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|language=en}}</ref> On February 4, 2015, Stairs was elected to the [[Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|date=February 4, 2015|title=Delgado, Stairs highlight '15 Canadian Hall class|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/108329010/carlos-delgado-matt-stairs-highlight-2015-canadian-hall-class|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204224846/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/108329010/carlos-delgado-matt-stairs-highlight-2015-canadian-hall-class|archive-date=February 4, 2015|access-date=February 4, 2015|work=[[Toronto Blue Jays]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

==Early life==
Born in [[Saint John, New Brunswick|Saint John]] and raised in [[Tay Creek]], New Brunswick, Stairs showed athletic ability at an early age, playing Beaver League baseball a year before his age eligibility; he also excelled in [[Ice hockey|hockey]]. After playing Bantam & Midget baseball at age 16 and 17, he played for the local Marysville Royals of the [[New Brunswick Senior Baseball League]] and was voted "Rookie of The Year" in 1984 and the league's [[Most Valuable Player]] in 1985. He was also named [[Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League]] MVP in 1987 and '88 while playing for the Fredericton Schooners.

He attended the National Baseball Institute (NBI) in [[Vancouver, British Columbia]], for one year and played for Canada at the 1987 World Amateur Championships in Italy where he was named to the "World All-Star" team. In 1988, he joined the Canadian Junior National team after graduating from [[Fredericton High School]]. From there he went on to play for the Canadian Olympic Team at the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] in [[Seoul]], South Korea.

==Minor league career==
On January 17, 1989, Stairs was signed as an international free agent by the [[Montreal Expos]]. Stairs was then assigned to low single-A [[Jamestown Expos]] where he played second and third base. He played Double-A ball in [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]] for the [[Harrisburg Senators]], where he led the league in hitting and was voted the [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|Eastern League]]'s 1991 Most Valuable Player. In 1992 and 1993, he moved up to Triple-A ([[Indianapolis Indians|Indianapolis]] and [[Ottawa Lynx|Ottawa]], respectively), with only brief appearances in the majors. Over his career, Stairs has played for six other minor league teams: The [[Indianapolis Indians]] (Triple-A) in 1992, the [[Ottawa Lynx]] (Triple-A) in 1993, the [[New Britain Red Sox]] (Double-A) in 1994, the [[Pawtucket Red Sox]] (Triple-A) in 1995, the [[Edmonton Trappers]] (Triple-A) in 1996 and a few rehab games for the [[Nashville Sounds]] (Triple-A) in 2003. His totals in the minors include a .291 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] with 46 [[home run]]s and 237 [[Run batted in|RBI]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Matt Stairs Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=stairs001mat|access-date=April 5, 2008|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|language=en}}</ref>

On June 8, 1993, Stairs' contract was purchased by the [[Chunichi Dragons]] of the [[Nippon Professional Baseball|NPB]]. He played 60 games for the Dragons that season, hitting .250, with six home runs and 23 RBI in 142 at-bats.<ref name=":0"/>

==Major league career==
===Montreal Expos===
Stairs began his [[Major League Baseball|Major League]] career in 1992 with the Montreal Expos, with whom he played sporadically throughout the season. On December 15, 1993, he was re-signed as a [[free agent]] by Montreal. He ended up only playing in 19 games for the Expos from 1992 to 1993.<ref name=":1" /> Stairs was sold on February 18, 1994, to the [[Boston Red Sox]] and assigned to the Double-A [[New Britain Red Sox]] for the 1994 season, where he batted .309 with nine home runs and 61 RBI in 93 games.<ref name=":0"/>

===Boston Red Sox===
He started the 1995 season with the Pawtucket farm club until being called up to the major leagues in June 1995. He played in 39 games for the Red Sox, hitting .261 with a home run and 17 RBI.<ref name=":1" /> At the end of the season, he accepted an offer to play with the [[Oakland Athletics]] after becoming a free agent.

===Oakland Athletics===
Stairs had the best years of his career playing for the Athletics. He was called up from Triple-A [[Edmonton Trappers|Edmonton]] after compiling a .344 average with eight home runs and 41 RBI over the first 51 games in the [[International League]].<ref name=":0"/> He played mostly in right field and as a [[designated hitter]], alongside superstars [[Rickey Henderson]], [[Mark McGwire]], and [[Jose Canseco]], throughout his tenure in Oakland.

In his July 5, 1996, debut with Oakland, Stairs tied a major league record with six runs batted in during one inning. That first inning performance included a [[grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] and a two-run single<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=July 6, 1996|title=BASEBALL;Matt Stairs and A's Have a Huge First|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/06/sports/baseball-matt-stairs-and-a-s-have-a-huge-first.html|access-date=June 17, 2013|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> (subsequently broken by [[Fernando Tatís]] in 1999). In 1999, he finished 17th in the [[American League]] in the [[Most valuable player|MVP]] race with a .258 batting average, 38 home runs and 102 RBI in 146 games.<ref name=":1" />

After five seasons with the Athletics, during which he hit 122 home runs and drove in 315 RBI, he was traded on November 20, 2000, to the [[Chicago Cubs]] for minor league pitcher Eric Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=November 21, 2000|title=PLUS: BASEBALL; A's Trade Stairs For Minor Leaguer|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/21/sports/plus-baseball-a-s-trade-stairs-for-minor-leaguer.html|access-date=January 6, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The trade was largely seen as a cost-cutting move by the cash-strapped Athletics—Stairs was set to earn $3.2 million for the 2001 season, and his production had dropped in 2000, hitting just .227 with 21 home runs and 81 RBI.<ref name=":1" />

===Chicago Cubs===
On December 19, 2000, Stairs agreed to a one-year, $3.2 million contract with the Cubs to avoid arbitration.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 19, 2000|title=Cubs Sign Matt Stairs|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cubs-sign-matt-stairs/|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[CBS News]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|language=en-US}}</ref> He served as the [[first baseman]] for the Cubs in 2001. Stairs had an OBP of .358 and batted .250 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI in 128 games.<ref name=":1" /> He then became a free agent after the season.

===Milwaukee Brewers===
On January 25, 2002, Stairs signed a one-year, $500,000 contract with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] for the 2002 season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 25, 2002|title=Stairs agrees to one-year deal with Brewers|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2002/0125/1317362.html|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[ESPN]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In 2002, Stairs had a similar season to the previous one with the Cubs. He finished the season with 16 home runs and 41 RBI in 107 games, but still had a low batting average, hitting .244.<ref name=":1" />

===Pittsburgh Pirates===
On December 16, 2002, Stairs agreed to a one-year, $900,000 contract with the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dvorchak|first=Robert|date=December 16, 2002|title=Pirates make a move to step up their offense by adding Stairs|url=https://old.post-gazette.com/pirates/20021216bucs1216p4.asp|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]}}</ref> 2003 was a strong year for Stairs. He finished the year batting .292 with 20 home runs and 57 RBI in 128 games while playing as a first baseman and outfielder.<ref name=":1" /> Stairs' 2003 season included a three-game series back in Canada against the Blue Jays. In the three games at [[Rogers Centre]] (then called the Skydome), Stairs had five [[Hit (baseball)|hits]] in eight [[at-bat]]s, which included two long home runs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Stairs 2003 Batting Splits|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=stairma01&t=b&year=2003|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|language=en}}</ref>

===Kansas City Royals===
On December 9, 2003, Stairs signed a one-year deal with the [[Kansas City Royals]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 9, 2003|title=Royals sign OF Stairs|url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/12/09/Royals-sign-OF-Stairs/58851070999882/|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[United Press International|UPI]]|language=en}}</ref> He went on to enjoy three solid years with the Royals, hitting 39 home runs in his two-and-a-half years in Kansas City.<ref name=":1" /> Despite being on one of the worst teams in baseball, Stairs helped some of the younger players like [[John Buck (baseball)|John Buck]] and [[David DeJesus]] adjust to the majors. On July 31, 2006, at the trade deadline, Stairs was dealt to the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] for [[Joselo Díaz]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 31, 2006|title=Rangers trade for Matt Stairs|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/rangers-trade-for-matt-stairs-1.599925|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[CBC.ca]]}}</ref>

===Texas Rangers===
The Rangers hoped that Stairs could provide some veteran leadership on their club, but he just played in 26 games, batting .210 with three home runs and 11 RBI before being waived by the Rangers.<ref name=":1" /> He was picked up off waivers by the [[Detroit Tigers]] on September 15, 2006.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=September 15, 2006|title=Tigers claim 1B-DH Stairs from Rangers|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=2589363|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>

===Detroit Tigers===
On the day he was claimed, he immediately went to Detroit, arriving at [[Comerica Park]] halfway through the game and immediately taking [[Marcus Thames]]'s place in the lineup. The Tigers picked up Stairs in hopes that his experience could help them hold their division lead.<ref name=":2"/> The Tigers lost their division lead on the final day of the season, but still clinched the [[Wild card (sports)|Wild Card]]. In 14 games with the Tigers, Stairs batted .244 with two home runs and 8 RBI.<ref name=":1" /> Since he was acquired after August 31, the deadline for playoff eligible players, he was unable to play for the Tigers during the playoffs. The Tigers went on to win the AL Pennant and lost in the [[World Series]] to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=2006 World Series - St. Louis Cardinals over Detroit Tigers (4-1)|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2006_WS.shtml|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|language=en}}</ref> He did not re-sign with the Tigers following the season.

===Toronto Blue Jays===
On December 7, 2006, Stairs and the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] agreed to a one-year minor-league contract with an invitation to [[spring training]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 12, 2006|title=Blue Jays finalize deals for Stairs, Smith|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/blue-jays-finalize-deals-for-stairs-smith-1.627163|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[CBC.ca]]}}</ref> He made the team and saw significant playing time as the fourth outfielder, replacing [[Lyle Overbay]] at first base during Overbay's time on the [[Disabled list|DL]]. The 2007 season rejuvenated Stairs' career, due to increased playing time following injuries to [[Reed Johnson]] and Overbay. Unexpectedly playing every day, he performed well above expectations, providing consistency at the plate and a valuable veteran presence in the Toronto dugout; team manager [[John Gibbons]] publicly stated, "I don't know where we'd be without him."<ref>{{cite news|last=Zwolinski|first=Mark|date=June 24, 2007|title=Stairs has another big day|work=[[Toronto Star]]|location=Toronto|url=https://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/228878|access-date=May 12, 2010}}</ref> As of September 4, Stairs had the highest [[slugging average]] on the Jays at .606 and the highest batting average at .312.

On August 8, 2007, Stairs became the first Toronto Blue Jays player to hit five consecutive [[Double (baseball)|doubles]] in five at-bats, and the first Major Leaguer to double in five straight at-bats in 14 years since [[Charles Johnson (catcher)|Charles Johnson]] accomplished the feat in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bastian|first=Jordan|date=August 9, 2007|title=Jays back Halladay in big way|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070808&content_id=2138199&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518174521/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070808&content_id=2138199&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|archive-date=May 18, 2011|access-date=June 19, 2012|website=[[Toronto Blue Jays]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> As of September 8, 2007, Stairs was playing well for the Blue Jays, with a team-leading .315 average on the season and a .989 OPS. He finished the season batting .289 with 21 home runs and 64 RBIs.<ref name=":1" />

On November 2, 2007, Stairs and the Blue Jays agreed on a two-year, $3.25 million contract, which included a $1.25 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary in each of the two seasons.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Bastian|first=Jordan|date=November 2, 2007|title=Stairs, Jays agree to two-year deal|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071102&content_id=2291215&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071104005857/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071102&content_id=2291215&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|archive-date=November 4, 2007|access-date=June 19, 2012|website=[[Toronto Blue Jays]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> With performance bonuses, Stairs could make as much as $3.5 million based on plate appearances.<ref name=":3" />

Though his age and increasingly poor speed earned him a reputation as a defensive liability in the outfield, he still possessed a strong throwing arm, and was considered a perfectly capable fielder at first. In 2008, Stairs initially platooned in left field with [[Shannon Stewart (baseball)|Shannon Stewart]]; however, upon the club's release of [[Frank Thomas]] on April 20 Stairs became the everyday DH for the ball club, although was later [[designated for assignment]] on August 28, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bastian|first=Jordan|date=August 29, 2008|title=Jays designate Stairs for assignment|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080828&content_id=3383904&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080831214614/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080828&content_id=3383904&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|archive-date=August 31, 2008|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[Toronto Blue Jays]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

===Philadelphia Phillies===
On August 30, 2008, Stairs was traded to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] for [[Fabio Castro]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 30, 2008|title=Phillies acquire Stairs|url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080830&content_id=3390552&vkey=pr_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903201650/http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080830&content_id=3390552&vkey=pr_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi|archive-date=September 3, 2008|access-date=September 3, 2008|website=[[Philadelphia Phillies]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

Stairs hit his first career postseason home run on October 13, 2008, in Game 4 of the [[2008 National League Championship Series]] against the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] off [[Jonathan Broxton]], allowing the Phillies to take the lead and win the game.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mandel|first=Ken|date=October 14, 2008|title=Phillies rally late, grab 3-1 NLCS lead|url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20081013&content_id=3617330&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015064646/http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20081013&content_id=3617330&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi|archive-date=October 15, 2008|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[Philadelphia Phillies]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

He won the first [[World Series ring]] of his 16-year career on October 29, 2008, when the Phillies won the [[2008 World Series|series]] against the Rays, four games to one.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2008 World Series - Philadelphia Phillies over Tampa Bay Rays (4-1)|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2008_WS.shtml|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|language=en}}</ref> On April 12, 2009, Stairs' game-winning home run against the [[Colorado Rockies]] was the last home run called by broadcaster [[Harry Kalas]], who died unexpectedly less than 24 hours later.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kepner|first=Tyler|date=March 20, 2017|title=Matt Stairs Leaves the Booth to Try to Get the Phillies Hitting Again|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/20/sports/baseball/matt-stairs-leaves-the-booth-to-try-to-get-the-phillies-hitting-again.html|access-date=January 6, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Stairs faced Broxton again in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the [[2009 NLCS]] rematch between the Phillies and Dodgers at [[Citizens Bank Park]] in Philadelphia. Broxton pitched around Stairs, walking him on four pitches.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Zolecki|first=Todd|date=October 20, 2009|title=Rollins' walk-off has Phils win from Series|url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091019&content_id=7495068&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023075453/http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091019&content_id=7495068&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi|archive-date=October 23, 2009|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[Philadelphia Phillies]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> The Phillies won the game later in the inning on a walk-off double by Jimmy Rollins, on which Stairs' [[pinch runner]] [[Eric Bruntlett]] scored.<ref name=":4"/> In the 2009 season, he once again made it to the World Series, but the Phillies lost to the [[New York Yankees]] in six games.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2009 World Series - New York Yankees over Philadelphia Phillies (4-2)|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2009_WS.shtml|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|language=en}}</ref>

During his time with the team, T-shirts were marketed which touched on Stairs' pinch-hitting prowess in clutch situations. They used a warning which can be found in many [[elevator]]s: "In Case of Emergency, Use Stairs."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Birdland – Moon Shot|url=http://www.birdland.bigcartel.com/product/moon-shot|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802055943/http://www.birdland.bigcartel.com/product/moon-shot|archive-date=August 2, 2010|access-date=August 2, 2010|website=The Birdland & Fightins}}</ref>

===San Diego Padres===
[[File:Matt Stairs.jpg|240px|thumb|Stairs batting for the [[San Diego Padres]] in 2010.]]
On January 23, 2010, Stairs agreed to a minor league contract with the [[San Diego Padres]] with an invite to spring training hoping to crack their 25-man roster out of spring as a left-handed bat off the bench.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Crasnick|first=Jerry|date=January 23, 2010|title=Stairs agrees to minor league deal with Padres|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4852323|access-date=January 23, 2010|website=[[ESPN]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brock|first=Corey|date=January 23, 2010|title=Padres ink Stairs to Minors deal|url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100123&content_id=7959426&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128102741/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100123&content_id=7959426&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd|archive-date=January 28, 2010|access-date=January 28, 2010|website=[[San Diego Padres]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> During the offseason, he lost nearly 40 pounds, which helped him make the team out of spring training.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Caple|first=Jim|date=March 17, 2010|title=Caple: Matt Stairs slims down|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?sportCat=mlb&page=caple/100317|access-date=March 17, 2010|website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> When he joined the Padres, he became the only player in MLB history to play for all four of the [[1969 Major League Baseball expansion|1969 expansion teams]] (the Padres, Royals, Expos, and Brewers). On August 21, Stairs hit his 21st home run as a [[pinch hitter]] to break a tie with [[Cliff Johnson (baseball)|Cliff Johnson]] for the Major League record.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 22, 2010|title=Padres' Matt Stairs sets record for most pinch-hit homers|language=en-CA|work=[[Toronto Star]]|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/2010/08/22/padres_matt_stairs_sets_record_for_most_pinchhit_homers.html|access-date=January 6, 2022|issn=0319-0781}}</ref>

===Washington Nationals===
On December 14, 2010, the [[Washington Nationals]] signed Stairs to a non-guaranteed minor league contract, which included an invitation to Major League Spring training.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kilgore|first=Adam|date=December 14, 2010|title=Nationals sign Matt Stairs|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/12/nationals_sign_matt_stairs.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011093104/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/12/nationals_sign_matt_stairs.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2012|access-date=December 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=December 14, 2010|title=Nationals agree to terms with OF/1B Matt Stairs|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20101214&content_id=16317610&vkey=pr_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107222036/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20101214&content_id=16317610&vkey=pr_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was|archive-date=January 7, 2011|access-date=January 7, 2011|website=[[Washington Nationals]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> After spring training, he was placed on the 25-man roster and went north with the team. Mostly used as a [[pinch hitter]], with four appearances at first base, in 65 at-bats he had 10 hits and two RBIs.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Matt Stairs Stats|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stairma01.shtml|access-date=|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|language=en}}</ref> He was [[designated for assignment]] on July 27, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 27, 2011|title=Nationals DFA veteran Matt Stairs|work=[[ESPN]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/6809561/washington-nationals-designate-matt-stairs-add-jonny-gomes-roster|access-date=July 28, 2011}}</ref> He was released on August 1<ref>{{cite web|last=Dierkes|first=Tim|date=August 1, 2011|title=Nationals Release Matt Stairs|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/nationals-release-matt-stairs.html|access-date=August 1, 2011|work=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref> and announced his retirement two days later.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Links|first=Zachary|date=August 3, 2011|title=Matt Stairs Retires|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/matt-stairs-retires.html|access-date=August 3, 2011|website=MLB Trade Rumors|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
On November 2, 2016, Stairs was hired as the hitting coach for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref name=":5">{{cite web|last=Breen|first=Matt|date=November 2, 2016|title=Matt Stairs named Phillies hitting coach|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/phillies/Matt-Stairs-is-new-Phillies-hitting-coach.html|access-date=November 2, 2016|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref>

On October 30, 2017, Stairs was hired as the hitting coach for the [[San Diego Padres]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Cassavell|first=AJ|date=October 27, 2017|title=Padres hire Stairs as hitting coach|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/padres-hire-matt-stairs-as-hitting-coach-c259826520#:~:text=SAN%20DIEGO%20%2D%2D%20Matt%20Stairs,and%20general%20manager%20A.J.%20Preller.|access-date=October 30, 2017|work=[[MLB.com]]|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]}}</ref> He was fired after one season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 9, 2018|title=Padres fire hitting coach Stairs after subpar year|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24943195/san-diego-padres-fire-hitting-coach-matt-stairs-lackluster-year|access-date=October 9, 2018|website=[[ESPN]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

In 2024, Stairs was hired to the [[Okotoks Dawgs|Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club]] as the program’s Academy Coaching Staff as the Dawgs Hitting Coordinator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dawgs Add Hitting Legend Matt Stairs To Academy Coaching Staff {{!}} Okotoks Dawgs Baseball |url=https://dawgsbaseball.ca/news/2024-08-26-dawgs-add-hitting-legend-matt-stairs-to-academy-coaching-staff/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Dawgs Baseball |language=en}}</ref>

==Career perspective==
Noted baseball analysts [[Bill James]] and [[Joe Posnanski]] have theorized that Stairs is probably a far more talented hitter than his career stats suggest. Stairs didn't have 500 plate appearances until age 30, at which point he had recorded 100 RBI seasons and an [[adjusted OPS]] of over 130 two years in a row—and never exceeded 500 plate appearances again after three straight seasons of 500 or more from 1998–2000. James contends, "You put him in the right park, right position early in his career ... he's going to hit a LOT of bombs." Possibly, Posnanski contends, enough to have been worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Posnanski|first=Joe|date=April 24, 2007|title=The Hall of Could Have Been|url=https://thesoulofbaseball.blogspot.com/2007/04/hall-of-could-have-been.html|access-date=April 24, 2007|website=The Soul of Baseball}}</ref>

==Other work and personal life==
In January 2012, Stairs accepted a job with the [[NESN]] sports news station to work as a [[Boston Red Sox]] studio analyst.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mahoney|first=Larry|date=January 30, 2012|title=Bangor's Matt Stairs gets NESN job as Red Sox studio analyst|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/01/30/sports/baseball/bangors-matt-stairs-gets-nesn-job-as-red-sox-studio-analyst/|access-date=January 31, 2012|website=[[Bangor Daily News]]|language=en-US}}</ref> On February 11, 2014, the Phillies announced that Stairs and fellow former-Phillie [[Jamie Moyer]] would join the team's television broadcasting crew as color analysts, following the dismissal of [[Gary Matthews]] and [[Chris Wheeler]]. Stairs worked with play-by-play commentator [[Tom McCarthy (broadcaster)|Tom McCarthy]] and in-game reporter Gregg Murphy, and occasionally with [[Ben Davis (baseball)|Ben Davis]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 11, 2014|title=Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs to join Phillies broadcast booth|url=http://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-phillies-broadcast-moyer-stairs-20140211,0,4243902.story|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222035652/http://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-phillies-broadcast-moyer-stairs-20140211%2C0%2C4243902.story|archive-date=February 22, 2014|access-date=February 22, 2014|website=[[The Morning Call]]}}</ref> before moving to the Phillies' dugout as the team's hitting coach starting with the 2017 season.<ref name=":5" />

He is married to Lisa Astle of [[Fredericton, New Brunswick|Fredericton]] with whom he has three daughters, Nicole, Alicia and Chandler.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Official Site of the Toronto Blue Jays|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=122644|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625073743/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=122644|archive-date=June 25, 2008|access-date=June 19, 2012|website=[[Toronto Blue Jays]]}}</ref> He lives in Fredericton and was named coach of the [[Fredericton High School]] ice hockey team in 2012, a job he had often referred to as his dream.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stubits|first=Brian|date=November 18, 2012|title=Video: Former MLB player Matt Stairs coaching high school hockey team|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/21041349/video-former-mlb-player-matt-stairs-coaching-high-school-hockey-team|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506100902/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/21041349/video-former-mlb-player-matt-stairs-coaching-high-school-hockey-team|archive-date=May 6, 2014|access-date=May 6, 2014|website=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref>

Stairs was inducted into the [[New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame]] in June 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 1, 2012|title=Matt Stairs leads Sports Hall of Fame inductees|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/matt-stairs-leads-sports-hall-of-fame-inductees-1.1276911|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[CBC.ca]]}}</ref>

On June 15, 2015, Stairs was inducted into the [[Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 13, 2015|title=New Brunswick's Matt Stairs heads to Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-s-matt-stairs-heads-to-canadian-baseball-hall-of-fame-1.3111180|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=[[CBC.ca]]}}</ref>

In November 2016, Stairs was among those nominated and placed on the [[Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 2017|2017 ballot]] for the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]];<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 21, 2016|title=Burrell, Stairs Make 1st Appearance On 2017 Baseball HOF Ballot|url=https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/11/21/pat-burrell-matt-stairs-make-first-appearance-on-2017-baseball-hall-of-fame-ballot/|access-date=November 22, 2016|website=[[KYW-TV|CBS Philadelphia]]|language=en-US}}</ref> he did not receive enough votes to appear on future ballots.

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{baseballstats|mlb=122644|espn=2690|br=s/stairma01|fangraphs=1384|brm=stairs001mat|retro=S/Pstaim001}}
*{{SABR Baseball Biography Project|7f30112b}}
*{{Olympedia|901109|Matt Stairs}}
*{{Team Canada|matthew-stairs|Matthew Stairs}}
*{{Olympics.com|matthew-stairs|Matthew Stairs}}

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{S-ach}}}}
{{succession box | before = [[Jamie Moyer]] | title = Oldest Player in the<br>[[National League (baseball)|National League]] | years = 2011 | after=[[Jamie Moyer]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Eastern League MVP}}
{{Canada roster 2006 World Baseball Classic}}
{{2008 Philadelphia Phillies}}
{{Canada roster 2009 World Baseball Classic}}
{{Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stairs, Matt}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Saint John, New Brunswick]]
[[Category:Baseball players at the 1988 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox announcers]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate baseball players in Japan]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate baseball players in the United States]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs players]]
[[Category:Chunichi Dragons players]]
[[Category:Detroit Tigers players]]
[[Category:Edmonton Trappers players]]
[[Category:Harrisburg Senators players]]
[[Category:Indianapolis Indians players]]
[[Category:Jacksonville Expos players]]
[[Category:Jamestown Expos players]]
[[Category:Kansas City Royals players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball designated hitters]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball first basemen]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball hitting coaches]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball left fielders]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Canada]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball right fielders]]
[[Category:Mayos de Navojoa players]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate baseball players in Mexico]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Brewers players]]
[[Category:Montreal Expos players]]
[[Category:Nashville Sounds players]]
[[Category:New Britain Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Oakland Athletics players]]
[[Category:Olympic baseball players for Canada]]
[[Category:Ottawa Lynx players]]
[[Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies announcers]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies coaches]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Pirates players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres coaches]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Bangor, Maine]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Fredericton]]
[[Category:New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Rockford Expos players]]
[[Category:Texas Rangers players]]
[[Category:Toronto Blue Jays players]]
[[Category:Washington Nationals players]]
[[Category:World Baseball Classic players of Canada]]
[[Category:2006 World Baseball Classic players]]
[[Category:2009 World Baseball Classic players]]
[[Category:West Palm Beach Expos players]]