:Johnnie Chambers

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Johnnie Chambers

|position=Pitcher

|bats=Left

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{Birth date|1911|9|10}}

|birth_place=Copperhill, Tennessee

|death_date={{death date and age|1977|5|11|1911|9|10}}

|death_place=Palatka, Florida

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=May 4

|debutyear=1937

|debutteam=St. Louis Cardinals

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=May 14

|finalyear=1937

|finalteam=St. Louis Cardinals

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=0–0

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=18.00

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=1

|teams=

St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|1937}})

}}

Johnnie Monroe Chambers (September 10, 1911 – May 11, 1977) was an American professional baseball pitcher who appeared in two games with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball in 1937. He also played in the minor leagues from 1931 to 1945.

Early life and career

Chambers was born on September 10, 1911, in Copperhill, Tennessee.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chambe004joh|title=Johnnie Chambers statistics at Baseball-Reference |work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=July 12, 2022}} Chambers attended and played baseball at Technological High School in Atlanta.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105467530/chambers-off-to-join-engels/|title=Chambers Off To Join Engels|page=21|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 4, 1931|access-date=July 12, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105521180/cardinals-get-john-chambers/|title=Cardinals Get John Chambers|page=11|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 8, 1937|access-date=July 13, 2022}}

A right-handed pitcher, he began his professional baseball career in 1931 playing in spring training with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern Association.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105464331/this-mornings-fare-for-fans/|title=This Morning's Fare for Fans|page=10|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|author=Menzing, Leroy|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 30, 1933|access-date=July 12, 2022}} and was scheduled that season to try out for the Blue Ridge League, but the league disbanded. Chambers had brief stints with the Huntington Boosters of the Middle Atlantic League and the Southern League's Atlanta Crackers and Knoxville Smokies before being signed by the St. Louis Cardinals and reporting to their Piedmont League affiliate, the Greensboro Patriots, in 1933. He finished the season with a 23-8 win-loss record in 38 games for Greensboro.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chambe004joh|title=Johnnie Chambers statistics at Baseball-Reference (Minors) |work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=July 12, 2022}} He was purchased by the Houston Buffaloes in April 1934, but returned to Greensboro in May after going winless in six games.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105465207/houston-team-rebuilt-for-speed-fight/|title=Houston Team Rebuilt for Speed, Fight|page=1|work=Big Spring Herald|author=United Press International|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 5, 1934|access-date=July 12, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105466271/buffs-seek-rookie/|title=Buffs Seek Rookie|page=14|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 16, 1934|access-date=July 12, 2022}} During a game against the Richmond Colts, he struck out 22 batters in 13 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105466651/struck-out-22-to-set-a-season-mark/|title=Struck Out 22 to Set a Season Mark|page=47|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 23, 1934|access-date=July 12, 2022}} Chambers joined the Columbus Red Birds in 1934, winning five games in 45 games pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105469459/chambers-in-form/|title=Chambers in Form|page=12|work=Sandusky Register|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 22, 1935|access-date=July 12, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105468484/aa-champs-need-help-to-stay-in-race/|title=A.A. Champs Need Help to Stay in Race|page=8|work=The Minneapolis Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 6, 1935|access-date=July 12, 2022}} The Cardinals transferred Chambers to the Sacramento Solons in the Pacific Coast League for 1936.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105469881/atlanta-athletes-play-basketball-to/|title=Atlanta Athletes Play Basketball To Keep in Shape for the Summer Baseball Grind|page=16|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 19, 1936|access-date=July 12, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105469980/leaves-for-sacramento/|title=Leaves for Sacramento|page=20|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 28, 1936|access-date=July 12, 2022}}

Major leagues

After going 17-19 for Sacramento in 1936, the Cardinals purchased his contract on January 7, 1937.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105520306/johnny-chambers-bought/|title=Johnny Chambers Bought|page=4|work=Santa Rosa Republican|author=United Press International|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 7, 1937|access-date=July 13, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105521018/cardinals-buy-pitcher-from-coast-league/|title=Cardinals Buy Pitcher from Coast League|page=17|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 7, 1937|access-date=July 13, 2022}}

Chambers made his major league debut on May 4, entering a game against the Boston Braves in the eighth inning and allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one of the five batters he faced.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=chambjo02&t=p&year=1937|title=Johnnie Chambers 1937 Pitching Game Log at Baseball-Reference|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=July 13, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105522483/boston-bees-trim-cards-8-1-landing-in/|title=Boston Bees Trim Cards 8-1 Landing in First Division|page=13|work=The Burlington Free Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 5, 1937|access-date=July 12, 2022}} His second and final game came on May 14 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he once again entered in the eighth inning and allowed four hits and earned runs while facing eight hitters as the Pirates beat St. Louis 14–4.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105522906/pirates-slash-cardinals-14-4/|title=Pirates Slash Cardinals, 14-4|page=31|work=Miami Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 15, 1937|access-date=July 13, 2022}}

He was optioned to back to Columbus on May 21 and would remain with the club for the remainder of 1937, ending the year with a 12–7 record and 3.78 ERA.

{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105521559/release-of-bill-mcgee-perplexes/|title=Release of Bill McGee Perplexes Cardinal Fans|page=10|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|author=Stockton, J. Roy|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 22, 1937|access-date=July 13, 2022}}

After the season ended, Cardinals general manager Branch Rickey told Sid Keener of the St. Louis Star-Times that he believed Chambers had the best chance of the club's pitching prospects to make the team in 1938.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105520926/sid-keeners-column/|title=Sid Keener's Column|page=23|work=St. Louis Star-Times|author=Keener, Sid|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 15, 1937|access-date=July 13, 2022}}

Return to minor leagues

Chambers battled for a roster spot with the Cardinals in spring training 1938 before he was sent down to Columbus on April 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105645578/cards-preparing-to-reduce-squad-from-35/|title=Cards Preparing to Reduce Squad From 35 to 23|page=24|work=St. Louis Star-Times|author=Keener, Sid|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 30, 1938|access-date=July 15, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105645615/29-hits-as-cards-defeat-senators/|title=29 Hits as Cards Defeat Senators|page=12|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=April 5, 1938|access-date=July 15, 2022}} On July 19, he was obtained on waivers by the Brooklyn Dodgers for $6,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105645949/john-chambers-goes-to-brooklyn-dodgers/|title=John Chambers Goes To Brooklyn Dodgers|author=The Associated Press|page=10|work=Marshfield News-Herald|date=July 20, 1938|access-date=July 15, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105646157/atlantan-sold-to-dodgers/|title=Atlantan Sold to Dodgers|author=The Associated Press|page=11|work=The Atlanta Constitution|date=July 21, 1938|access-date=July 15, 2022}} The Dodgers optioned Chambers to the Minneapolis Millers on August 12 after the club acquired Lee Rogers from the Boston Red Sox.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105646641/brooklyn-purchases-rodgers-from-red-sox/|title=Brooklyn Purchases Rodgers from Red Sox|author=The Associated Press|page=9|work=The Lewiston Daily Sun|date=August 13, 1938|access-date=July 15, 2022}}

Chambers dealt with a sore arm for much of the 1938 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105647096/all-in-the-game/|title=All in the Game|page=12|work=The Atlanta Constitution|author=Troy, Jack|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 19, 1938|access-date=July 15, 2022}} After the minor league season ended, he was among eight players recalled to the Dodgers on September 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105647196/dodgers-buy-two-new-players-recall/|title=Dodgers Buy Two New Players, Recall Eight from the Minors|page=27|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|date=September 4, 1938|access-date=July 15, 2022}} He did not appear in a game before the season ended on October 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BRO/1938.shtml|title=1938 Brooklyn Dodgers Statistics at Baseball-Reference|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=July 15, 2022}}

On January 4, 1939, he returned to the Chattanooga Lookouts as the player to be named later in an August 23 trade that sent Fred Sington from the Lookouts to the Dodgers.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105647944/chambers-to-lookouts/|title=Chambers to Lookouts|author=The Associated Press|page=10|work=The Commercial Appeal|date=January 5, 1939|access-date=July 15, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105647985/sharp-shooting/|title=Sharp Shooting|author=Sharp, Al|page=9|work=Chattanooga Daily Times|date=February 12, 1939|access-date=July 15, 2022}} Named the opening day starter for Chattanooga, Chambers battled more arm trouble in 1939 and was ultimately placed on the injured list before returning on May 9.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105648575/chambers-hurls-today-as-lookouts-open/|title=Chambers Hurls Today as Lookouts Open Home Exhibitions With St. Paul|author=Sharp, Al|page=8|work=Chattanooga Daily Times|date=April 6, 1939|access-date=July 15, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105648632/eddie-rose-released/|title=Eddie Rose Released|author=The Associated Press|page=20|work=The Commercial Appeal|date=May 10, 1938|access-date=July 15, 2022}} He was sold to the Selma Cloverleafs of the Southeastern League on July 24.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105648757/charley-gets-major-chance/|title=Charley Gets Major Chance|page=8|work=Chattanooga Daily Times|date=July 25, 1939|access-date=July 15, 2022}} Chambers remained with Selma for the remainder of 1939 and all of 1940, ending the 1940 season with a 9–14 record and 3.70 ERA.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105649343/upward-surge-of-leafs-gets-another-push/|title=Upward Surge of Leafs Gets Another Push|page=6|work=Selma Times-Journal|date=June 27, 1940|access-date=July 15, 2022}} After beginning the 1941 season with Selma, Chambers was acquired by the Richmond Colts in the Piedmont League On May 6.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717132/colts-sign-two-new-players-leave-on/|title=Colts Sign Two New Players; Leave on Six-Day Road Trip|page=12|work=Richmond Times-Dispatch|date=May 7, 1941|access-date=July 16, 2022}} However, he failed to report to Richmond and instead joined the Charleston Rebels of the South Atlantic League.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717171/prospective-players-fail-to-join-colts/|title=Prospective Players Fail To Join Colts|page=14|work=The Birmingham News|date=May 12, 1941|access-date=July 16, 2022}} He then was signed by the Southern Association's Memphis Chickasaws on August 31.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717536/chambers-signed/|title=Chambers Signed|page=16|work=The Commercial Appeal|date=July 1, 1941|access-date=July 16, 2022}}

He did not play organized baseball from 1942 to 1944 due to arm issues, but returned in May 1945 when he signed with the Minneapolis Millers.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717970/millers-sign-new-right-hand-hurler/|title=Millers Sign New Right-Hand Hurler|page=13|work=Star Tribune|date=May 8, 1945|access-date=July 16, 2022}} Chambers split the season with the Millers and the Little Rock Travelers before ending his professional career.

Post-playing career and death

Following his playing career, Chambers worked as a college and professional umpire for 18 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768152/old-guard-is-thinned-by-passing-of/|title='Old Guard' Is Thinned by Passing of Johnny Chambers|page=77|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 20, 1977|access-date=July 17, 2022}} He worked in the Southern League, American Association and Southeastern Conference and served as president of the Atlanta Baseball Umpires Association.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768582/when-dixie-moves-up-wyatt-will-move-in/|title=When Dixie Moves Up, Wyatt Will Move In|author=Bisher, Furman|page=20|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 6, 1950|access-date=July 17, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768330/atlanta-umps-go-all-out-in-arbiters/|title=Atlanta Umps Go All Out in Arbiters' Charm School|page=7|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 17, 1956|access-date=July 17, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768397/a-hearn-to-match-new-yorks-its-billy/|title=A Hearn To Match New York's: It's Billy|page=6|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 14, 1956|access-date=July 17, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768445/gordon-heads-umpire-here/|title=Gordon Heads Umpire Here|page=40|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 19, 1966|access-date=July 17, 2022}}

He retired from umpiring in 1971 to work as a fishing guide in Florida.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768989/chambers-cited-by-umpires/|title=Chambers Cited by Umpires|page=45|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 10, 1971|access-date=July 17, 2022}} While working as a boat guide for an elderly woman, Chambers drowned on May 11, 1977, in Lake George after his fishing boat was tipped by waves and he fell overboard. His body was recovered two days later.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105467923/body-of-drowned-fishing-guide-recovered/|title=Body of drowned fishing guide recovered from Lake George|page=26|work=Orlando Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 14, 1977|access-date=July 12, 2022}}