Sam Chapman

Played For
Philadelphia Athletics (1938-1951)
Cleveland Indians (1951)

Born
Samuel Blake Chapman was born on April 11, 1916, in Tiburon, CA.

Batted:  Right
Threw:  Right

Primary Position:  OF

Primary Team:  PHA

Major League Debut
May 16, 1938

Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1938
Enos Slaughter
Lou Boudreau
Joe Gordon
Sam Chapman
Roy Cullenbine
Preacher Roe
Max Lanier
Mort Cooper
Taffy Wright

Similar Players
Historian BoB Wilson wrote: "A side point worth mentioning is Chapman's unusual (maybe unique) routine way of tracking balls that were hit over his head. He would turn his back to the ball and run very accurately to the place where it came down, without turning his head at all to look, then finally turn fully around to make the catch. Did anyone else do that?" ... A later outfielder known for his glovework shared that trait with Chapman: Chet Lemon.

Batting Feats

• May 5, 1939: Cycle...


• August 15, 1946: 3 HR...

Notes
SABR member Bob Wilson has done extensive research on Chapman. In 2007,on SABR-L, he shared this:

My favorite Sam Chapman memory is from an old timers game in Philadelphia - I think it was in 1970. Sam was playing right field and dropped a fly ball - and not a particularly difficult one at that. I remember thinking how embarassed he must have been, after having been such an outstanding outfielder. But then a batter or two later there was a line shot near the right field line that WAS difficult - and Sam raced over, stuck out his glove, and made a sliding catch that would do credit to the best of fielders.

Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
Chapman lost four years of his baseball career to service in the U.S. Navy.

All-Star Selections
1946 AL

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