Charlie Bates
From BR Bullpen
Charles William Bates
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.
- Debut September 22, 1927
- Final Game October 2, 1927
- Born September 17, 1907 in Philadelphia, PA USA
- Died January 29, 1980 in Topeka, KS USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Pennsylvania native Charlie Bates spent fifteen active seasons in professional baseball from 1927 to 1950. He made his Major League debut with the Philadelphia Athletics on September 22, 1927 after hitting .310 with 10 home runs in 145 games for the Pittsfield Hillies of the class A Eastern League. Charlie appeared in nine games for the Athletics, with 9 hits in 38 at-bats for a .237 average and finished out the year and his big league career on October 2, 1927.
During his his minor league career Bates hit over the .300 number in five seasons, with his 1934 year with the St. Joseph Saints of the class A Western League being his best numbers. Charlie tied for the league base-hit title with 164 knocks. He also hit for a .338 average with 8 home runs in 485 at-bats.
Bates also went 2-0 in a short try on the mound for St. Joseph Saints of the class A Western League in 1933. Charlie also spent part of 1950, his last season in the game, as one of four managers for the Chanute Athletics of the class D Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League. He ended his career after that stint, having appeared in 1,381 games, hitting at a .293 average with 108 home runs.
After baseball he worked many years for the State of Kansas and lived in the Topeka and Lake Wabaunsee areas for 34 years. Charles William Bates died at the age of 72 on January 29, 1980 at a hospital in Topeka, KS.
