Chris Priest

James Christopher Priest

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
• School Lewis University
• High School Plainfield (IL) High School

• Born December 30, 1971 in Joliet, IL USA
• Died October 4, 1997 in Plainfield, IL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Outfielder Chris Priest attended Plainfield (IL) High School and during his career set school records for batting average (.420) and games played (114). He then went on to attend nearby Lewis University, where he was an ABCA All-American as a senior. He began his pro career in 1994 with the Lethbridge Mounties, putting up a .307/.384/.546 line. He led the Pioneer League in total bases (153), was fourth in slugging, tied for the PL lead with 14 home runs, stole 19 bases in 25 tries, and scored 55 and drove in 55 in 72 games. He tied for 7th in the league in runs and was third in RBI and made the league's All-Star team for his work. He played for the Visalia Oaks the next summer, but his baseball career was ended when he was diagnosed with cancer during the season.

Priest later coached at Lewis University and for the Will County Cheetahs. He died of cancer in 1997 at age 25.

Related Sites

Plainfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame