Chappy Charles
From BR Bullpen
Raymond Charles born Charles Shuh Achenbach
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.
- Debut April 15, 1908
- Final Game May 28, 1910
- Born March 25, 1881 in Phillipsburg, NJ USA
- Died August 4, 1959 in Bethlehem, PA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
The 1908 St. Louis Cardinals, who lost 105 games, used Chappy Charles all over the infield in 1908, in spite of his batting average. He appeared in 65 games at second base, 31 at short, and 23 at third base. His .205 average, although not impressive, was not far below the team average of .223, it being the dead-ball era. Third baseman Bobby Byrne hit .191, shortstop Patsy O'Rourke hit .195, and second baseman Billy Gilbert hit .214, so Chappy was doing about what the other infielders were doing. And Chappy's .256 slugging percentage was higher than the other three players. His range in the field, however, was not particularly impressive.
In 1909 he continued to play at both second and short, although mostly at second base. His fielding ranged improved, and his batting average went up to .236, although the team's average moved up to .243 (Bobby Byrne hit .214 at shortstop). Chappy became the regular second baseman.
Near the end of August, however, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. For them, he hit .256 in 13 games that year, on a team that hit .250. Tom Downey, the regular shortstop, hit .231.
However, Downey continued to play regularly the next year, improving his average to .270 as he split his time between short and third. Charles appeared in only 4 games, hitting .133, and was done.
- A SABR biography of Bob Unglaub says that Charles was the manager in 1897 of the "crack club" in Federalsburg, MD. Since Charles would have been 16 at the time if one believes he was born in 1881, it throws into question whether he was actually born in 1881, and whether he was thus really 27 when he broke into the majors. The biography also says Charles changed his name when he came from New Jersey to Maryland.
- A SABR biography of Al Burris says that Charles played at the University of Maryland.
