Spud Chandler

Spurgeon Ferdinand Chandler

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 181 lb.
• School University of Georgia
• High School Franklin County High School (Carnesville)
• Debut May 6, 1937
• Final Game September 26, 1947
• Born September 12, 1907 in Commerce, GA USA
• Died January 9, 1990 in South Pasadena, FL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Spud Chandler played eleven years in the majors, all with the New York Yankees, and never had a losing season. He is the all-time leader in winning percentage (.717) among pitchers with 100 or more wins. He was a four-time All-Star and the 1943 American League Most Valuable Player.

Born and raised in Georgia, Chandler attended the University of Georgia, where he played both baseball and football. He began his career in 1932 and reached the majors in 1937, going 7-4 as a 29 year old rookie. He avoided the sophomore slump the next summer, when he went 14-5 in 23 starts. Chandler won 10 games in 1941 and was the starter in Game 2 of that fall's World Series, taking a loss against the Brooklyn Dodgers. The following year, 1942, he was 16-5 with a 2.38 ERA and the winning pitcher in the All-Star Game, but he again lost his only World Series start, falling to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 (despite giving up just a run in 8 innings).

In 1943, the 35-year-old Chandler had a career year. He went 20-4 with a 1.64 ERA and led the American League in wins, ERA, complete games (20), and shutouts (5) en route to winning the MVP award. His success carried over into the postseason, as he won both of his World Series starts, giving up only an earned run over 2 complete games, as the Yankees beat the Cardinals in 5 games. After making just one start in 1944, Chandler entered the Army. He was discharged in September 1945 and went 2-1 in 4 late-season starts. He put together another fine season in 1946, going 20-8 with a 2.10 ERA. The following season, 1947, his final year in the majors, he was 9-5 with a 2.46 ERA. He made one relief appearance in that year's World Series, giving up 2 earned runs in 2 innings of work against Brooklyn.

After his playing career, Chandler managed in the minors and was a Kansas City Athletics coach in 1957 and 1958. He was also a long-time scout for the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. A member of the University of Georgia's Ring of Honor, he died at age 82.

Notable Achievements

• 4-time AL All-Star (1942, 1943, 1946 & 1947)
• AL MVP (1943)
• AL ERA Leader (1943)
• AL Wins Leader (1943)
• AL Winning Percentage Leader (1943)
• AL Complete Games Leader (1943)
• AL Shutouts Leader (1943)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 3 (1942, 1943 & 1946)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 2 (1943 & 1946)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1942, 1943 & 1946)
• Won six World Series with the New York Yankees (1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943 & 1947; he did not play in the 1937, 1938 and 1939 World Series)

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Playoffs	Notes
1954	Jacksonville Beach Sea Birds	Florida State League	76-63	3rd	Lost League finals
1955	Spartanburg Peaches	Tri-State League	74-44	1st	League Champs

AL MVP
1942	1943	1944
Joe Gordon	Spud Chandler	Hal Newhouser

Records Held

• Winning percentage, career (minimum 100 wins), .717
• Winning percentage, right-hander, career (minimum 100 wins), .717

Related Sites

• Spud Chandler at the SABR Bio Project
• Spud Chandler obituary