Bob Chesnes

Robert Vincent Chesnes was a right-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1948 to 1950, entirely with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Born May 6, 1921, in Oakland, California, he served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II from 1943 to 1945 before resuming his baseball career. The Pirates purchased his contract from the Pacific Coast League's San Francisco Seals for a reported $100,000 after he won 22 games for the Seals in 1947. Chesnes made an immediate impact as a rookie in 1948, going 14-6 with a 3.57 ERA and ranking among the National League leaders in winning percentage. His effectiveness declined the following year, when he fell to 7-13 with a 5.88 ERA in 1949, and he made his final major league appearances in 1950. Over 61 career games he compiled a 24-22 record with a 4.66 ERA, 130 strikeouts, and 378-2/3 innings pitched, allowing 377 hits against 189 walks. He recorded one shutout and one save and batted .256 with 2 home runs. After his three seasons in the majors his career wound down, and he died May 23, 1979, in Everett, Washington.