Stu Pederson

Stuart Russell Pederson (born January 28, 1960) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He is the father of outfielder Joc Pederson.

Baseball career

College Pederson played college baseball for Foothill College, University of the Pacific and University of Southern California.

Minor leagues Pederson was selected in the 9th round (228th overall) of the 1981 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of the University of Southern California. Pederson debuted with the Single-A Lodi Dodgers, hitting a home run in his first at bat, and finished his first professional season with a walk-off home run that gave Lodi the 1981 California League Championship.

In 1982, with the Vero Beach Dodgers, he led the Florida State League in triples (18), was second in runs (95), hits (156), and on base percentage (.434), and third in batting average (.336), slugging percentage (.494), and RBIs (79). In 1983 with the San Antonio Dodgers, he was second in the Texas League in triples (12).

He played 473 games for the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League from 1988 to 1992. The team had a "Stu Pederson Night" during the 1991 season.

On August 18, 2012, Pederson was inducted into the Syracuse Chiefs Wall of Fame.

Pederson owns a business that sells tickets for sporting events, concerts, and theater events.

Pederson's sons Joc and Tyger were both drafted by the Dodgers. Joc was drafted out of Palo Alto High School in the 11th round of the 2010 MLB draft, was ranked the Dodgers' no. 1 prospect after the 2013 season. He made his major league debut in 2014. Tyger, an infielder for the University of the Pacific Tigers in Stockton, California, was drafted in the 33rd round of the 2013 MLB draft and briefly played in the Dodgers minor league system. His eldest son is named Champ, and has Down syndrome. and played college soccer for UCLA.