Former Tennessee pitcher Chris Stamos went from celebrating an NCAA College World Series victory title a few months back to facing a devastating tragedy. On January 7, the fire in nearby Eaton Canyon threatened the town tucked between Pasadena and the San Gabriel Mountains, soon striking Altadena, where Chris’s family home was situated. In a devastating turn of fate, the Stamos family lost almost everything, not just their dear home but the irreplaceable, memorable items inside the property.

Among these losses were Chris Stamos’ cherished baseball keepsakes, including the jerseys he had worn during Tennessee’s College World Series run and a special canvas painting given to him on senior day. Amid this heartbreak, Stamos’s family has received overwhelming communal support, with his former teammates, coaches, and even fans standing beside the family in these tough times. Launching a fundraiser to help with temporary housing, the campaign, which initially had the goal of collecting $15k, has now generated $77k.

Some Tennessee fans showed their support by even sending signed baseballs and newspaper clippings to help replace his Tennessee memories. As the Stamos family navigates this difficult time, Chris has expressed gratitude for the immense support they’ve received. “They watched a kid throw a baseball and now they are doing whatever they can to help the kid’s mom,” he said being overwhelmed by the support despite playing only one season with Tennesse. “Some of them I’ll never meet, and I’ll never get to say thank you. And the best I can do is type something on my GoFundMe or send something on Instagram, but that’s not enough. They deserve a real Thank you, and maybe one day I’ll be able to pay it back,” added Stamos.

In the wake of such a loss, the Stamos family found strength and solidarity from the support they got. Despite the heartbreak of losing their family home and cherished possessions, the support has been a reminder that even in the face of adversity, the bonds formed on and off the field remain unbreakable.

Chris Stamos shines in brief yet ‘impactful’ Tennessee tenure

Chris Stamos’ time with the Tennessee baseball team in the NCAA may have been brief, but it was impactful. As a pitcher, he brought an intensity and work ethic that embodied the spirit of Vols baseball. Though he played just one season, Stamos quickly became a key contributor on the mound. Throughout the 2022-23 season, Stamos appeared in 36 games, including five starts, with notable performances that contributed to Tennessee’s strong campaign. Despite a challenging ERA of 6.75, Stamos demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion in critical moments.

The very next year he signed with the Tennessee Vols, quickly making a mark on the team. His standout performance was when he pitched 2.2 scoreless innings during the Vols’ victory over Missouri. He also excelled in high-leverage situations, such as during Tennessee’s win over Xavier, where he faced two batters in the eighth inning and allowed neither to reach base. Stamos also picked up a win against High Point, throwing one inning of shutout ball with two strikeouts.

While his tenure with the Tennesseans was brief, he left a long-lasting impact on his abilities. His contributions, especially in tight games, played an important role in helping the Vols succeed throughout the season and eventually winning it! Whether it was shutting down hitters in high-leverage moments or stepping up when the team needed him, Stamos showed that his value went far beyond the scoreboard. Ultimately, Chris Stamos’ journey with the Tennessee Volunteers was a story of grit, growth, and unforgettable moments.