#272 Chuck Schilling

I bet you didn't know that there was a Schilling on the Red Sox before Curt. Something tells me that this one kept more of his opinions to himself, though.

Fun facts about Chuck Schilling:

-Born in Brooklyn, NY, Chuck signed with the Red Sox in 1958 after playing at Manhattan College.

-He hit .314 at AAA Minneapolis in his second pro season, prompting Boston to name him their starting second baseman in 1961.

-In his rookie season, Chuck hit .259 with a .340 on-base percentage. He also scored 87 runs and drove in 62 while doubling 25 times. The local media selected him as the Red Sox Player of the Year.

-Schilling had a reputation as a great defensive player. He led all American League second basemen with a .991 fielding percentage and 449 assists in 1961.

-A wrist injury cost him over 40 games and hampered his production in his sophomore season; he would never reach the offensive marks of his first big league season again.

-After posting a second straight sub-.300 on-base percentage in 1963, Chuck lost his starting job in 1964. He played only 118 games over the following two years.

-He hit only three home runs in 1965, but two of them came in pinch hit appearances in consecutive games!

-Boston traded him to the Twins on the eve of the 1966 season, but he retired before appearing in any games.

-In five seasons, he hit .239 with 23 home runs and 146 RBI.

-Chuck stayed busy after baseball, playing competitive softball until age 69 and teaching high school math back in Long Island.