Bob Chakales
| Bob Chakales | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: August 10, 1927 Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. | |
| Died: February 18, 2010 (aged 82) Richmond, Virginia, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 21, 1951, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 17, 1957, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 15–25 |
| Earned run average | 4.54 |
| Strikeouts | 187 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Robert Edwards Chakales [sha-kuh'-les] (August 10, 1927 – February 18, 2010) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with four clubs between the 1951 and 1957 seasons. Listed at 6'1", 185 lb., Chakales batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Asheville, North Carolina.
Originally a starter, Chakales also filled various roles coming out from the bullpen, as a closer or middle reliever. He reached the majors in 1951 with the Cleveland Indians, spending three and a half years with them before moving to the Baltimore Orioles (1954), Chicago White Sox (1955), Washington Senators (1955–57) and Boston Red Sox (1957).
In his rookie year Chakales recorded two of his three wins helping himself with the bat, going 7–for–20 (.350) with one home run and six RBI. His most productive season came in 1954, when he posted career highs in wins (5), strikeouts (47), earned run average (3.43) and innings pitched (99.2) in 41 pitching appearances (six as a starter). After that, he was part of various trades that included players as Vic Wertz, Don Ferrarese, Clint Courtney, Johnny Groth, Jim Busby, Milt Bolling and Faye Throneberry.
In a seven-season career, Chakales went 15–25 with 187 strikeouts and a 4.54 ERA in 171 games, including 23 starts, three complete games, one shutout, 10 saves, and 225 walks in 420+1⁄3 innings of work. As a hitter, he posted a .271 average (26–for–96) with one home run and 9 RBI.
Personal
[edit]His nickname was "The Golden Greek".
Chakales died in Richmond, Virginia, at the age of 82.
Sources
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac
- Retrosheet - player page
- 1927 births
- 2010 deaths
- American people of Greek descent
- Sportspeople of Greek descent
- Baltimore Orioles players
- Baseball players from Asheville, North Carolina
- Boston Red Sox players
- Chicago White Sox players
- Cleveland Indians players
- Hawaii Islanders players
- Indianapolis Indians players
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Minneapolis Millers (baseball) players
- Oklahoma City Indians players
- Portland (NEL) baseball players
- Richmond Virginians (minor league) players
- San Francisco Seals (baseball) players
- Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) players
- Utica Blue Sox players
- Wilkes-Barre Indians players
- Wilmington Blue Rocks (1940–1952) players
- 20th-century American sportsmen