Craig Chamberlain

Craig Philip Chamberlain

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lbs
• School University of Arizona
• High School Los Alamitos High School
• Debut August 12, 1979
• Final Game September 28, 1980
• Born February 2, 1957 in Hollywood, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Craig Chamberlain raced to the big leagues, making only 22 appearances in Double A before debuting with the Kansas City Royals on August 12, 1979. In his debut, he mowed down the Detroit Tigers, allowing just one run on six hits (five singles) en route to a complete game, 7-1 victory at Royals Stadium. Five days later, he allowed only three hits to eventual American League champs Baltimore Orioles at Memorial Stadium, with another complete game win. On the 24th, he allowed 10 hits to the Boston Red Sox, but just two runs, in his third straight complete game win. He finally took an L in his fourth start, allowing two home runs and four runs to the Milwaukee Brewers on August 28th. Two starts later, though, it was another complete game victory, just two runs on eight hits, in setting back the Seattle Mariners. Craig was living high on the hog, with a 4-1 record and 2.57 ERA as Kansas City made a playoff push. He was 22 years old and the sky was the limit.

And then he never won another big league game. He was 0-3 over his final four starts of '79, returning to Earth and finishing 4-4 with a 3.75 ERA. He spent much of the next season with the Triple A Omaha Royals and was not particularly effective, winning 11 games despite an ERA of 4.76. He came back in September 1980 and made 5 relief appearances, losing once while allowing 3 home runs in just 9 1/3 innings. He never resurfaced, bouncing around the minors and independent ball until 1995.

Related Sites

• Craig Chamberlain at the SABR Bio Project