Chuck Churn

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Chuck Churn
Pitcher
Born: (1930-02-01)February 1, 1930
Bridgetown, Virginia
Died: October 21, 2017(2017-10-21) (aged 87)
Lady Lake, Florida
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 18, 1957, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last MLB appearance
September 29, 1959, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record3–2
Earned run average5.10
Strikeouts32
Innings pitched472⁄3
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Clarence Nottingham "Chuck" Churn (February 1, 1930 – October 21, 2017) was an American

right-handed
and was listed as 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and 205 pounds (93 kg).

Early career

Churn was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates before the start of the 1949 season. After seven years in

decisions and a 4.32 earned run average, having given up four runs in 8+1⁄3 innings of work.[1]

He was selected by the

Cincinnati Redlegs[1] and sent back to the Triple-A Seattle Rainiers
for the rest of the season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Churn in a trade with the Reds on May 6, 1959, in exchange for Dick Hanlon[1] and Churn was recalled from the Triple-A Spokane Indians in August.

Role in 1959 pennant race

After going unscored upon in his first three appearances coming out of the Los Angeles bullpen, Churn earned his first-ever victory in the major leagues on September 2, 1959, when the Dodgers defeated the

Elroy Face in the bottom of the ninth. Churn pitched 1+2⁄3 scoreless innings to get the 5–4 win. The loss was charged to Face, his only defeat in a season in which he finished with an 18–1 record.[3][4][5]

With the Dodgers involved in a desperate

Milwaukee Braves and San Francisco Giants, Churn's September wins—along with his only MLB save on September 19 against the Giants—were priceless. On the season's final day, Sunday, September 27, 1959, the Dodgers and Braves finished in flat-footed tie at 86–68, necessitating a best-of-three tie-breaker series to resolve the deadlock. After the Dodgers won Game 1, Churn appeared in the pivotal Game 2 on September 29. He relieved Johnny Podres with the bases loaded and two out in the top half of the seventh inning and Milwaukee ahead 4–2. He retired pinch hitter Enos Slaughter to quell the threat, but then surrendered what appeared to be an insurance run to Milwaukee in the eighth inning. He left the game for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the eighth with the Braves leading 5–2. However, in the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers rallied for three runs to tie Game 2 and force extra innings. Three innings later, they won the game and the National League championship, sending them to the 1959 World Series.[6]

Churn finished the 1959 season with a 3–2 record and one save to along with a 4.99 ERA in 14 appearances.

earned) in only two-thirds of an inning as the Dodgers lost to the Chicago White Sox 11–0. It was Churn's only World Series appearance as the Dodgers went on to win the world title in six games.[7]

The 1959 season was Churn's last in the majors. Along with the five decisions and the save he posted for the Dodgers that season, he ended his career with 32

bases on balls
.

Churn pitched full-time in the minor leagues through 1962, then became a playing coach and player-manager in the

farm system
through 1967.

Churn, whose nickname was "Slim," died in Lady Lake, Florida on October 21, 2017, at age 87.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Chuck Churn, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed November 19, 2008.
  2. ^ Sep 2, 1959, Cardinals at Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed November 19, 2008.
  3. ^ Sep 11, 1959, Pirates at Dodgers Play by Play and Box Scoren, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed November 19, 2008.
  4. ^ Chuck Churn Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine, BaseballLibrary.com. Accessed November 19, 2008.
  5. ^ Staff. "Dodgers Take 2 From Pirates;; LOS ANGELES WINS 5-4, 4-0 CONTESTS Moon Hits Three Homers — Face Beaten in Opener — Dodgers Gain in Race", The New York Times, September 12, 1959. Accessed November 19, 2008.
  6. ^ Sep 29, 1959, Braves at Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed November 19, 2008.
  7. ^ 1959 World Series, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed November 19, 2008.
  8. ^ "In Memory of Slim Churn" Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home, Cape Charles, Virginia. Accessed October 26, 2017

External links

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