Ben Chapman

Ben Chapman

Birthdate	12/25/1908
Death Date	7/7/1993
Debut Year	1930
Year of Induction
Teams	Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox, Senators, Yankees
Positions	Center Field, Left Field, Manager, Right Field, Third Base

Remembered for his racist taunts aimed at Jackie Robinson, Ben Chapman played in the first four All Star games and hit .302 in 15 MLB seasons.

Ben Chapman started his professional baseball career as a 19-year old in 1928

In his senior season of high school Ben Chapman helped his team win the Alabama state baseball championship. He was proficient enough as a pitcher and infielder that the Yankees made him a contract offer. Chapman initially declined, opting instead to

Ben Chapman writes his thoughts on Babe Ruth's "Called Shot"

Did Babe Ruth call his shot in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series against the Cubs? Ben Chapman, the Yankees starting right fielder that day was undecided really. Chapman hit seventh in the New York lineup that day and wrote, “He was pointing at Charley (sic) Root who had knocked him down.” However

Chapman was the first American League batter in All Star history

Four-time stolen base champion Ben Chapman played in the first four All Star Games from 1933-1937. He holds the distinction of being the first American League batter in All Star play. The inaugural Mid Summer Classic was played in Chicago’s Comiskey Park as part of the city’s centennial

Ben Chapman is remembered today for his racist taunts of Jackie Robinson

Ben Chapman enjoyed a 15-year big league playing career that included appearances in the first four all star games. Despite this he is best remembered today for his racist taunts toward Jackie Robinson. The image shows Jackie Robinson holding his Hall of Fame plaque at

In retirement, Jackie Robinson became a business executive

Personal checks are an outstanding way to obtain an authentic autograph. Here Jackie Robinson writes a check on January 29, 1964. The check is make out to Chock Full O’ Nuts, a company that focused on hiring minority employees. In fact, almost three-quarters of the work force was black. Robinson

A Story about Ben Chapman

Jackie Robinson inspired future MLB player Ed Charles

June 15th, 2016 Leave a comment

Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” By that measurement, Robinson’s life may be the most important the game of baseball has ever known. Though it’s easy to see the cultural impact of Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier, the individual stories sometimes get lost in the bigger picture. For former Major Leaguer Ed Charles, Robinson emergence was a turning point, not only for the United States, but perhaps more importantly, for an entire segment of its population. “The emergence of Mr. Jackie Robinson as the first black to play modern day organized baseball had a monumental impact upon my life, and I’m sure, the lives of other Americans as well,” Charles wrote in a letter 1984. An eight-year big league veteran, Charles was aware of Robinson at an early age. Charles believed that Robinson’s impact was felt by the nation and its individuals. “Jackie represented to me, given the social climate of the nation at that time, hope, courage, and a new faith in a system that had been grossly neglectful of providing equal participation for its minority citizens,” Charles wrote. “His presence stirred me, as well as others, to redirect our goals […]