Frank Chapman

Frank H. Chapman

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 165 lb.

• Debut July 22, 1887
• Final Game July 22, 1887
• Born November, 1861 in Newburgh, NY USA
• Died December 2, 1937 in Newburgh, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Frank Chapman was long thought to have been, under the name Fred Chapman, the youngest player ever to appear in the majors. He played one game for the Philadelphia A's of the American Association in 1887. The information attached to his (wrong) name had him born in 1872, which would have made him 14. The problem is that no contemporary record mentioned him being particularly young. The reason is that the player who took part in the game was Frank, not Fred, Chapman, who was pitching for a club in Reading, PA. The real Frank Chapman was a minor league pitcher who spent some time with the Kingston, NY club. He was originally from Newburgh, NY, where he died in 1937. Little else is known about him.

Further Reading

• "Joe Nuxhall's Record Is Safe", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, March/April 2009, pp. 2-3.
• "Frank Chapman", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, September/October 2009, p. 1.