Chris Chambliss

Biography
Carroll Christopher Chambliss (born December 26, 1948 in Dayton, Ohio) was a Major League Baseball player from 1971-1988 for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves. In 1970, Chris was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 1st round (1st pick overall) of the free-agent draft (January 17, 1970) and in 1971, was named AL Rookie of the Year. Chambliss played first base and was known as a great clutch hitter throughout his career.

He was dealt to the Yankees from the Indians in April 1974 along with pitchers Cecil Upshaw and Dick Tidrow for Fritz Peterson, Fred Beene, Tom Buskey, and Steve Kline in a much criticized multi-player deal.

In 1976, he received his only selection to the All Star team.

In the 1976 American League Championship Series, his first-pitch, walk off home run off Mark Littell of the Kansas City Royals gave the Yankees their first trip to the World Series since 1964.


 * "Mark Littell delivers . . . High drive hit to right-center field . . . It could be . . . it is . . . gone!" -- Keith Jackson, ABC-TV.


 * "Chris Chambliss has won the American League pennant for the New York Yankees. . . . A thrilling, dramatic game. . . . What a way for the American League season to end!" -- Howard Cosell, ABC-TV.


 * "My first thought was that I hit a home run. Then I realized it was the ninth inning, the game was over and we'd won the championship. Then I thought, 'Oh no, the people are on the field.' I was in the middle of a mass of people and when I fell to the ground, it was scary." -- Chambliss.


 * "I never felt like it was fun to celebrate that home run with the fans. They didn't belong on the field. I wanted to meet my teammates at home plate and I couldn't." -- Chambliss.

Chambliss was the hitting star of the 1976 ALCS, as he also hit a two-run homer in Game 3 to help the Yankees win that game 5 to 3. He hit an ALCS record .524 with 2 home runs and eight RBIs. In the 1976 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, Chambliss hit .313 (5-for-16) with one RBI.

Chambliss played three more seasons with the Yankees, winning a Gold Glove for fielding prowess in 1978. He then moved on to Atlanta from 1980-1986. He had one at-bat with the Yankees in 1987 and struck out. After his playing days ended, Chambliss became a hitting instructor for several teams and is talked about as a possible managerial candidate.

In 1991, he was named Minor League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News.

He is now the hitting coach for the Cincinnati Reds.

Statistics
Player=Chris Chambliss Type=Batting

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