Chuck Oertel

From BR Bullpen

Charles Frank Oertel (Ducky or Snuffy)

Bats Left, Throws Right
Height 5' 8", Weight 165 lb.

Debut September 1, 1958
Final Game September 26, 1958
Born March 12, 1931 in Coffeyville, KS USA
Died October 4, 2000 in Royal Oak, MI USA

[edit] Biographical Information

After outfielder Chuck Oertel had played 92 games and hit .352 for the Hazlehurst-Baxley Red Sox of the class D Georgia State League he was dealt to the St. Louis Browns in an unknown transaction in early August of 1950. The Browns organization immediately shipped him to the Appleton Papermakers of the Wisconsin State League where he appeared in 39 contests and hit at a .352 clip again. Chuck would be with the Appleton club again in 1951 where the young outfielder would hit for a .324 average with 10 home runs and slug at a .509 number. Oertel would miss the next two seasons (1952-53) when he was called to serve in the United States Military Service during the Korean War.

Back in his baseball uniform in 1954, Chuck found he was now part of the Baltimore Orioles organization, by way of another unknown transaction, and was placed with the San Antonio Missions of the AA Texas League. He would spend the next four seasons (1954-57) with San Antonio, hitting at a .284 average with a total of 33 home runs. Chuck would be with the Louisville Colonels for 139 games in 1958, hitting at a .313 clip and on September 1, 1958 he made his debut in the majors with the parent Baltimore Orioles. The stocky left-handed hitter was just 2-for-12 at the plate in 14 games but one of his base hits was a home run off future Hall of Famer Jim Bunning. This was it for Chuck in the majors.

Chuck or "Ducky" as he was sometimes called would spend three more years in baseball, all with AAA clubs, the Miami Marlins in 1959, hitting .275 with 11 homers then the Vancouver Mounties in 1960 where he hit .313. Lastly, he was with the Rochester Red Wings in 1961, hitting for a .277 average. This would conclude Chuck's ten-year tour in the minors where he ended with a .301 batting average with 67 home runs while appearing in 1,192 games.

Oertel, who became an automobile salesman, made his home in Naubin Way, Michigan. He died on October 4, 2000, at age 69 in Royal Oak, MI.