Bob Chesnes

Robert Vincent Chesnes

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut May 6, 1948
• Final Game September 27, 1950
• Born May 6, 1921 in Oakland, CA USA
• Died May 23, 1979 in Everett, WA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

The Pittsburgh Pirates paid the Pacific Coast League's San Francisco Seals the princely sum $100,000 for the contract of Bob Chesnes after the right-hander won 22 games for the Seals in 1947. Originally a shortstop in his early minor league days, he switched to the mound before spending three years in military service during World War II. In 1946 for the Salt Lake City Bees in the Class C Pioneer League, he was 18-6 with a 1.52 ERA. He also appeared in 77 games at shortstop, hitting .349 (81-for-232). Bob had another great year in 1947, this time with the Seals, going 22-8 with another super ERA, 2.32. He also played 50 games at the shortstop spot and hit .311 (32-for-103).

As a rookie with the Pirates in 1948 he was the team's big winner, going 14-6 with a 3.57 ERA; his .700 winning percentage ranking second in the National League. Chesnes slipped to 7-13 the next year, 1949 with an ERA of 5.88 and was gone from the majors after appearing in just nine games in 1950, finishing with an overall record of 24-22. A switch-hitter, often used as a pinch hitter, Bob hit .256. He appeared in 8 games for the New Orleans Pelicans of the Southern Association in 1950, going 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA. He finished his career with the Hollywood Stars of the PCL in 1951. He appeared in 10 games, going 2-2 with a 5.05 ERA. Bob had an overall minor league record of 54-32 with a 4.10 ERA. He also was very respectable with the bat, batting .289 (342-for-1,186).

Bob died on May 23, 1979, at age 58 in Everett, WA.

Sources

Baseball-Reference.com
Baseball Players of the 1950s
SABR MILB Database:page

Related Sites

• BR Minors page