Chet Laabs

Chester Peter Laabs

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 175 lb.
• High School Boys' Technology and Trade School
• Debut May 5, 1937
• Final Game June 3, 1947
• Born April 30, 1912 in Milwaukee, WI USA
• Died January 26, 1983 in Warren, MI USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Chet Laabs was an above-average player who had 11 major league seasons. Most of his career was spent with the St. Louis Browns, and he was part of their 1944 pennant-winning team. In fact, he hit two home runs in the pennant-clinching series. In the 1944 World Series, he batted either third or fifth in the lineup, depending on the game.

He was an All-Star in 1943 but had his best year in 1942 when he hit 27 home runs. An outfielder, he played roughly equal amounts in left, center, and right in his career. He was famous for being Bob Feller's 18th strikeout in a game in 1938. He always had a high propensity to strike out at a time when it was quite frowned upon.

Before the major leagues, he played for Fort Wayne in 1935 and the Milwaukee Brewers in 1936 (hitting 42 home runs although Rudy York was the MVP). After his playing days he worked for a trophy company in the Detroit area.

Reporters sometimes called him "diminutive", although he wasn't all that short, and "chunky", although he wasn't all that heavy.

Notable Achievements

• AL All-Star (1943)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1942)

Related Sites

• Chet Laabs at the SABR Bio Project