From the Salem (MA.) News:

"No need to check it out, but Bob Stanley has been inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.

That being the case, you'd think the organization would find room for such an esteemed alumnus. At the very least, you'd expect the club would at least grant the former Wenham resident an interview for any potential job openings in coaching.

General Manager Theo Epstein must be too busy pondering another Halloween costume to wear for his next escape from the office. He didn't have time to grant an interview when Stanley was job hunting recently.

The 54-year-old Stanley three times has applied for a position in the Red Sox system — and has had the door slam on him on each occasion.

He's had good results in 12 years as a pitching coach in the minors, six on the Mets' payroll and six more with the Giants.

"Steamer," spent the last five seasons at the Giants' Norwich (Conn.) affiliate in the Double A Eastern League. His Navigators/Connecticut Defenders were top three in ERA the past five seasons and were league runners-up in 2008.

"Did I do something wrong? I don't know," he said from his new home in Stratham, N.H.

After his latest rejection Stanley called the club and didn't get speak to Epstein, but did ask another club official if he had ticked somebody off. He wondered if this was personal.

Not at all, Stanley was told.

"They told Steamer he was overly qualified," one-time Red Sox catcher and color radio analyst Bob Montgomery said.

"Monty" laughed a good laugh. He couldn't hold back. He had already been briefed on Stanley's latest rejection.

"What happened was this," Stanley said. "The Giants are bringing two No. 1 picks (both pitchers) from Augusta and want (former Orioles pitcher) Ross Grimsley in Norwich to be their pitching coach. Augusta's in the Class A Sally (i.e., South Atlantic) League. They wanted Ross and I to flip flop, where I'd go to Augusta.

"That wouldn't have been a great situation for me. I was able to come home on days off from Norwich, and when we played in Manchester, N.H. I could stay home overnight. I was still living in Wenham. Same thing when we played in Portland, where I was born. I'd be able to call home and have dinner on the way."

He was driving on Route 95 when the Giants phoned him and told him about the switch.

"I didn't even tell them I'd think about it," Stanley said. "I said thanks, but no thanks. I had no interest in Augusta."

He then called his beloved Red Sox, who once made him a celebrity when he became their first $1 million contract signee.

"Mike Hazen and Bob Sheridan — Hazen, I think, is the farm director; I don't know what the other guy does — said they had a couple opportunities, but I didn't fit in. Basically, they said I was overqualified," said Stanley.

A footnote here: One other time the former Red Sox bullpen ace had applied for a job with the team and got an an offer from Esptein to watch a game from behind the home plate screen at Fenway.

He had sent a resume this time to see if they were interviewing people, but there was no interview.

"Am I hurt about it?" Stanley repeating a question. "That's the way they go. No big deal. You move on.

"I don't know what their thinking is. I tried to stop figuring out stuff like this a long time ago."

He was a two-time All-Star, twice finishing in the Top 10 in voting for the Cy Young Award (1978, 1982); three times led the major leagues in relief innings pitched (1981-1983) and set an American League record in relief innings (168 1/3 in 1982).

Stanley, a sinkerball specialist, spent his whole 13-year career with the Red Sox, set club records for saves (132) and appearances (637). He was even a starter one year. What's more, he was a huge advocate of the Jimmy Fund.

Right now, he's on the staff at USA Training Centers in Newington, N.H. He'll also be active with the club's many AAU clubs and give private lessons. Stanley also said he'll be joining ex-Red Sox physician Billy Morgan in teaching patients how to throw in rehab surgery."

Bill Kipouras is a staff writer at The Salem News. Contact him at bkipouras@salemnews.com or 978-338-2615.