# Johnnie Chambers

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Johnnie_Chambers
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Johnnie_Chambers.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnnie_Chambers
> Source revision: 1338421866
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

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

## Early life and career

Chambers was born on September 10, 1911, in [Copperhill, Tennessee](/source/Copperhill,_Tennessee).[1] Chambers attended and played baseball at [Technological High School](/source/Midtown_High_School_(Atlanta)) in [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta).[2][3]

A right-handed [pitcher](/source/Pitcher), he began his professional baseball career in 1931 playing in [spring training](/source/Spring_training) with the [Chattanooga Lookouts](/source/Chattanooga_Lookouts) of the [Southern Association](/source/Southern_Association).[4] and was scheduled that season to try out for the [Blue Ridge League](/source/Blue_Ridge_League), but the league disbanded.[4] Chambers had brief stints with the [Huntington Boosters](/source/Huntington_Boosters) of the [Middle Atlantic League](/source/Middle_Atlantic_League) and the [Southern League](/source/Southern_Association)'s [Atlanta Crackers](/source/Atlanta_Crackers) and [Knoxville Smokies](/source/Tennessee_Smokies) before being signed by the [St. Louis Cardinals](/source/St._Louis_Cardinals) and reporting to their [Piedmont League](/source/Piedmont_League) affiliate, the [Greensboro Patriots](/source/Greensboro_Grasshoppers), in 1933.[4] He finished the season with a 23-8 [win-loss record](/source/Win-loss_record) in 38 games for Greensboro.[5] He was purchased by the [Houston Buffaloes](/source/Houston_Buffaloes) in April 1934, but returned to Greensboro in May after going winless in six games.[6][7][5] During a game against the [Richmond Colts](/source/Richmond_Colts), he struck out 22 batters in 13 innings.[8] Chambers joined the [Columbus Red Birds](/source/Columbus_Red_Birds) in 1934, winning five games in 45 games pitched.[9][10][5] The Cardinals transferred Chambers to the [Sacramento Solons](/source/Sacramento_Solons) in the [Pacific Coast League](/source/Pacific_Coast_League) for 1936.[11][12]

## Major leagues

After going 17-19 for Sacramento in 1936, the Cardinals purchased his contract on January 7, 1937.[13][14]

Chambers made his major league debut on May 4, entering a game against the [Boston Braves](/source/Atlanta_Braves) in the eighth inning and allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one of the five batters he faced.[15][16] His second and final game came on May 14 against the [Pittsburgh Pirates](/source/Pittsburgh_Pirates), where he once again entered in the eighth inning and allowed four hits and [earned runs](/source/Earned_run) while facing eight hitters as the Pirates beat St. Louis 14–4.[15][17]

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. [18][5]

After the season ended, Cardinals [general manager](/source/General_manager) [Branch Rickey](/source/Branch_Rickey) told Sid Keener of the *[St. Louis Star-Times](/source/St._Louis_Star-Times)* that he believed Chambers had the best chance of the club's pitching prospects to make the team in 1938.[19]

## 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.[20][21] On July 19, he was obtained on [waivers](/source/Waivers_(sports)) by the [Brooklyn Dodgers](/source/Los_Angeles_Dodgers) for $6,000.[22][23] The Dodgers optioned Chambers to the [Minneapolis Millers](/source/Minneapolis_Millers) on August 12 after the club acquired [Lee Rogers](/source/Lee_Rogers_(baseball)) from the [Boston Red Sox](/source/Boston_Red_Sox).[24] Chambers dealt with a sore arm for much of the 1938 season.[23][25] After the minor league season ended, he was among eight players recalled to the Dodgers on September 4.[26] He did not appear in a game before the season ended on October 2.[27]

On January 4, 1939, he returned to the Chattanooga Lookouts as the [player to be named later](/source/Player_to_be_named_later) in an August 23 trade that sent [Fred Sington](/source/Fred_Sington) from the Lookouts to the Dodgers.[1][28][29] Named the opening day starter for Chattanooga, Chambers battled more arm trouble in 1939 and was ultimately placed on the [injured list](/source/Injured_list) before returning on May 9.[30][31] He was sold to the [Selma Cloverleafs](/source/Selma_Cloverleafs_(1928%E2%80%931962)) of the [Southeastern League](/source/Southeastern_League) on July 24.[32] 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.[33][5] After beginning the 1941 season with Selma, Chambers was acquired by the [Richmond Colts](/source/Richmond_Colts) in the Piedmont League On May 6.[34] However, he failed to report to Richmond and instead joined the [Charleston Rebels](/source/Charleston_Rebels) of the [South Atlantic League](/source/South_Atlantic_League).[35] He then was signed by the Southern Association's [Memphis Chickasaws](/source/Memphis_Chicks_(Southern_Association)) on August 31.[36]

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.[37] Chambers split the season with the Millers and the [Little Rock Travelers](/source/Little_Rock_Travelers) before ending his professional career.[5]

## Post-playing career and death

Following his playing career, Chambers worked as a college and professional [umpire](/source/Umpire_(baseball)) for 18 years.[38] He worked in the [Southern League](/source/Southern_Association), [American Association](/source/American_Association_(1902%E2%80%931997)) and [Southeastern Conference](/source/Southeastern_Conference) and served as president of the Atlanta Baseball Umpires Association.[39][40][41][42]

He retired from umpiring in 1971 to work as a fishing guide in [Florida](/source/Florida).[43] While working as a boat guide for an elderly woman, Chambers drowned on May 11, 1977, in [Lake George](/source/Lake_George_(Florida)) after his fishing boat was tipped by waves and he fell overboard. His body was recovered two days later.[38][44]

## References

1. ["Johnnie Chambers statistics at Baseball-Reference"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chambe004joh). *Baseball-Reference.com*. Retrieved July 12, 2022.

1. ["Chambers Off To Join Engels"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105467530/chambers-off-to-join-engels/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. March 4, 1931. p. 21. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Cardinals Get John Chambers"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105521180/cardinals-get-john-chambers/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. January 8, 1937. p. 11. Retrieved July 13, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. Menzing, Leroy (August 30, 1933). ["This Morning's Fare for Fans"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105464331/this-mornings-fare-for-fans/). *[Fort Worth Star-Telegram](/source/Fort_Worth_Star-Telegram)*. p. 10. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Johnnie Chambers statistics at Baseball-Reference (Minors)"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chambe004joh). *Baseball-Reference.com*. Retrieved July 12, 2022.

1. United Press International (April 5, 1934). ["Houston Team Rebuilt for Speed, Fight"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105465207/houston-team-rebuilt-for-speed-fight/). *[Big Spring Herald](/source/Big_Spring_Herald)*. p. 1. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Buffs Seek Rookie"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105466271/buffs-seek-rookie/). *[Fort Worth Star-Telegram](/source/Fort_Worth_Star-Telegram)*. May 16, 1934. p. 14. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Struck Out 22 to Set a Season Mark"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105466651/struck-out-22-to-set-a-season-mark/). *[The Brooklyn Daily Eagle](/source/Brooklyn_Eagle)*. September 23, 1934. p. 47. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Chambers in Form"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105469459/chambers-in-form/). *[Sandusky Register](/source/Sandusky_Register)*. March 22, 1935. p. 12. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["A.A. Champs Need Help to Stay in Race"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105468484/aa-champs-need-help-to-stay-in-race/). *[The Minneapolis Journal](/source/Star_Tribune)*. April 6, 1935. p. 8. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Atlanta Athletes Play Basketball To Keep in Shape for the Summer Baseball Grind"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105469881/atlanta-athletes-play-basketball-to/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. January 19, 1936. p. 16. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Leaves for Sacramento"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105469980/leaves-for-sacramento/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. February 28, 1936. p. 20. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. United Press International (January 7, 1937). ["Johnny Chambers Bought"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105520306/johnny-chambers-bought/). *[Santa Rosa Republican](/source/The_Press_Democrat)*. p. 4. Retrieved July 13, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Cardinals Buy Pitcher from Coast League"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105521018/cardinals-buy-pitcher-from-coast-league/). *[St. Louis Post-Dispatch](/source/St._Louis_Post-Dispatch)*. January 7, 1937. p. 17. Retrieved July 13, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Johnnie Chambers 1937 Pitching Game Log at Baseball-Reference"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=chambjo02&t=p&year=1937). *Baseball-Reference.com*. Retrieved July 13, 2022.

1. ["Boston Bees Trim Cards 8-1 Landing in First Division"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105522483/boston-bees-trim-cards-8-1-landing-in/). *[The Burlington Free Press](/source/The_Burlington_Free_Press)*. May 5, 1937. p. 13. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Pirates Slash Cardinals, 14-4"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105522906/pirates-slash-cardinals-14-4/). *Miami Tribune*. May 15, 1937. p. 31. Retrieved July 13, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. Stockton, J. Roy (May 22, 1937). ["Release of Bill McGee Perplexes Cardinal Fans"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105521559/release-of-bill-mcgee-perplexes/). *[St. Louis Post-Dispatch](/source/St._Louis_Post-Dispatch)*. p. 10. Retrieved July 13, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. Keener, Sid (September 15, 1937). ["Sid Keener's Column"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105520926/sid-keeners-column/). *[St. Louis Star-Times](/source/St._Louis_Star-Times)*. p. 23. Retrieved July 13, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. Keener, Sid (March 30, 1938). ["Cards Preparing to Reduce Squad From 35 to 23"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105645578/cards-preparing-to-reduce-squad-from-35/). *[St. Louis Star-Times](/source/St._Louis_Star-Times)*. p. 24. Retrieved July 15, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["29 Hits as Cards Defeat Senators"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105645615/29-hits-as-cards-defeat-senators/). *[St. Louis Post-Dispatch](/source/St._Louis_Post-Dispatch)*. April 5, 1938. p. 12. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. The Associated Press (July 20, 1938). ["John Chambers Goes To Brooklyn Dodgers"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105645949/john-chambers-goes-to-brooklyn-dodgers/). *[Marshfield News-Herald](/source/Marshfield_News-Herald)*. p. 10. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. The Associated Press (July 21, 1938). ["Atlantan Sold to Dodgers"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105646157/atlantan-sold-to-dodgers/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. p. 11. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. The Associated Press (August 13, 1938). ["Brooklyn Purchases Rodgers from Red Sox"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105646641/brooklyn-purchases-rodgers-from-red-sox/). *[The Lewiston Daily Sun](/source/The_Lewiston_Daily_Sun)*. p. 9. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. Troy, Jack (September 19, 1938). ["All in the Game"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105647096/all-in-the-game/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. p. 12. Retrieved July 15, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Dodgers Buy Two New Players, Recall Eight from the Minors"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105647196/dodgers-buy-two-new-players-recall/). *[The Brooklyn Daily Eagle](/source/Brooklyn_Eagle)*. September 4, 1938. p. 27. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. ["1938 Brooklyn Dodgers Statistics at Baseball-Reference"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BRO/1938.shtml). *Baseball-Reference.com*. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. The Associated Press (January 5, 1939). ["Chambers to Lookouts"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105647944/chambers-to-lookouts/). *[The Commercial Appeal](/source/The_Commercial_Appeal)*. p. 10. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. Sharp, Al (February 12, 1939). ["Sharp Shooting"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105647985/sharp-shooting/). *[Chattanooga Daily Times](/source/Chattanooga_Times_Free_Press)*. p. 9. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. Sharp, Al (April 6, 1939). ["Chambers Hurls Today as Lookouts Open Home Exhibitions With St. Paul"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105648575/chambers-hurls-today-as-lookouts-open/). *[Chattanooga Daily Times](/source/Chattanooga_Times_Free_Press)*. p. 8. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. The Associated Press (May 10, 1938). ["Eddie Rose Released"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105648632/eddie-rose-released/). *[The Commercial Appeal](/source/The_Commercial_Appeal)*. p. 20. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. ["Charley Gets Major Chance"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105648757/charley-gets-major-chance/). *[Chattanooga Daily Times](/source/Chattanooga_Daily_Times)*. July 25, 1939. p. 8. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. ["Upward Surge of Leafs Gets Another Push"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105649343/upward-surge-of-leafs-gets-another-push/). *[Selma Times-Journal](/source/Selma_Times-Journal)*. June 27, 1940. p. 6. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

1. ["Colts Sign Two New Players; Leave on Six-Day Road Trip"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717132/colts-sign-two-new-players-leave-on/). *[Richmond Times-Dispatch](/source/Richmond_Times-Dispatch)*. May 7, 1941. p. 12. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

1. ["Prospective Players Fail To Join Colts"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717171/prospective-players-fail-to-join-colts/). *[The Birmingham News](/source/The_Birmingham_News)*. May 12, 1941. p. 14. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

1. ["Chambers Signed"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717536/chambers-signed/). *[The Commercial Appeal](/source/The_Commercial_Appeal)*. July 1, 1941. p. 16. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

1. ["Millers Sign New Right-Hand Hurler"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717970/millers-sign-new-right-hand-hurler/). *[Star Tribune](/source/Star_Tribune)*. May 8, 1945. p. 13. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

1. ["'Old Guard' Is Thinned by Passing of Johnny Chambers"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768152/old-guard-is-thinned-by-passing-of/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. May 20, 1977. p. 77. Retrieved July 17, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. Bisher, Furman (December 6, 1950). ["When Dixie Moves Up, Wyatt Will Move In"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768582/when-dixie-moves-up-wyatt-will-move-in/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. p. 20. Retrieved July 17, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Atlanta Umps Go All Out in Arbiters' Charm School"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768330/atlanta-umps-go-all-out-in-arbiters/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. March 17, 1956. p. 7. Retrieved July 17, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["A Hearn To Match New York's: It's Billy"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768397/a-hearn-to-match-new-yorks-its-billy/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. April 14, 1956. p. 6. Retrieved July 17, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Gordon Heads Umpire Here"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768445/gordon-heads-umpire-here/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. October 19, 1966. p. 40. Retrieved July 17, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Chambers Cited by Umpires"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105768989/chambers-cited-by-umpires/). *[The Atlanta Constitution](/source/The_Atlanta_Journal-Constitution)*. March 10, 1971. p. 45. Retrieved July 17, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

1. ["Body of drowned fishing guide recovered from Lake George"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105467923/body-of-drowned-fishing-guide-recovered/). *[Orlando Sentinel](/source/Orlando_Sentinel)*. May 14, 1977. p. 26. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via Newspapers.com.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Johnnie Chambers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnnie_Chambers) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnnie_Chambers?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.