But it was also an opportunity for Coss to remember the player his former teammate Stephens was.
''He was very good,'' Coss, who himself went on to a brief pro career, told The News-Register of Ron Stephens. ''He was probably the best I've played with at any level.''
Stephens went on from Linsly to play at the University of Cincinnati and then on to five seasons as a pro. As a pro, he eventually played parts of three seasons as AAA, but he never played in the majors.
Stephens' professional career began in 1988, taken by the White Sox in the 58th round of the draft, out of the University of Cincinnati. Three years earlier, he passed on a 16th-round selection by the Red Sox.
With the White Sox, Stephens started strong at short-season Utica, going 8-0 on the season, with a 0.92 ERA. He then continued strong in 1989, going 9-3 by early July and 10-4 over his 17 single-A Sarasota starts.
Stephens' performance at Sarasota in 1989, which included a 1.47 ERA, also earned him a look at AA Birmingham. He went 4-3 there, with a 3.68 ERA. His time at AA also included a seven-inning win, where he struck out six.
For 1990, Stephens returned to Birmingham, going 7-10, with a 3.65 ERA, splitting time between starting and relieving. Stephens also picked up three relief outings at AAA Vancouver, giving up three earned runs in 3.2 innings of work.
Stephens then returned to Vancouver for 1991 and 1992, sporting a 3.42 ERA in 1991 and a 5.09 mark in 1992. In September 1992, Stephens went seven innings for a playoff win, giving up seven hits. But it was his final year as a pro.
Stephens has since stayed involved in the game, serving in 2012 as an assistant coach at his old school, Linsley, according to The News-Register. His son has also continued in the game, playing 2013 as a freshman with the University of West Virginia.
- Wheeling News-Register, March 23, 2012: Like Father, Like Son at Linsly
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