If you have seen the movie "42", you will see former Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman as the evilest character in the entire film. While Jackie Robinson suffers from all types of racism and abuse, it is Chapman who is the most vocal and vulgar in his actions. The movie shows Chapman yelling racial slurs to Robinson as he bats, nearly getting Robinson to respond. Finally, 2B Eddie Stanky, who was teammates with Chapman on the 1944 and 1945 Dodgers, goes to Robinson's aid by getting in Chapman's face. Many that saw the film and were not familiar with the events may have taken the time to research Chapman, as well as other players and coaches portrayed in the movie.
Looking up Chapman, you would find that he was actually a very good outfielder with the New York Yankees from 1930-1935. Sure he benefitted from playing with greats like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, but he did accumulate some impressive numbers. After hitting .316, 10, 81 with 10 3Bs in his rookie season of 1930, Chapman hit .315, 17, 122 with 61 SB in 1931. He scored 120 runs, had 189 hits and added 11 more 3Bs. He backed that up by hitting .296, 10, 107 in 1932, as the Yankees won the World Series over the Chicago Cubs. He remained productive with RBI totals of 98 (1933), 86 (1934), 74 (1935) and 81 (1936, split between the Yankee and Senators). He would drive in 80 or more runs two more times, with Boston in 1938 and Cleveland in 1939 while only stealing 30 or more bases twice since his second season.
While many players took the time off between 1941 and 1945, Chapman took the time off to manage and play in the minor leagues. By naturally looking at his playing stats, one would assume he was one of the many players who served their country in World War II. He was classified 4 F in the draft, which meant he was not acceptable. He further stood out when he was suspended for an entire year for assaulting an umpire. He came back to the minors, then majors as a pitcher, pitching in a handful of games from 1942-1946. After his inexcusable actions in 1947, he was reprimanded by Commissioner Happy Chandler and forced to do a photo shot with Robinson, as portrayed in the movie. During the following season, even the Phillies get tired of his act and he is fired. After managing in the minors the next couple seasons, he was part of the 1952 Cincinnati Reds coaching staff. He would never manage in the major leagues again. Quite a fall from grace for a player who put up all world numbers in his first 5 MLB seasons. I see it as karma; a gifted player getting what he deserves. Chapman was a bad man and because of that was out of baseball for nearly the last 40 years of his life. (He died in 1993).
Looking up Chapman, you would find that he was actually a very good outfielder with the New York Yankees from 1930-1935. Sure he benefitted from playing with greats like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, but he did accumulate some impressive numbers. After hitting .316, 10, 81 with 10 3Bs in his rookie season of 1930, Chapman hit .315, 17, 122 with 61 SB in 1931. He scored 120 runs, had 189 hits and added 11 more 3Bs. He backed that up by hitting .296, 10, 107 in 1932, as the Yankees won the World Series over the Chicago Cubs. He remained productive with RBI totals of 98 (1933), 86 (1934), 74 (1935) and 81 (1936, split between the Yankee and Senators). He would drive in 80 or more runs two more times, with Boston in 1938 and Cleveland in 1939 while only stealing 30 or more bases twice since his second season.
While many players took the time off between 1941 and 1945, Chapman took the time off to manage and play in the minor leagues. By naturally looking at his playing stats, one would assume he was one of the many players who served their country in World War II. He was classified 4 F in the draft, which meant he was not acceptable. He further stood out when he was suspended for an entire year for assaulting an umpire. He came back to the minors, then majors as a pitcher, pitching in a handful of games from 1942-1946. After his inexcusable actions in 1947, he was reprimanded by Commissioner Happy Chandler and forced to do a photo shot with Robinson, as portrayed in the movie. During the following season, even the Phillies get tired of his act and he is fired. After managing in the minors the next couple seasons, he was part of the 1952 Cincinnati Reds coaching staff. He would never manage in the major leagues again. Quite a fall from grace for a player who put up all world numbers in his first 5 MLB seasons. I see it as karma; a gifted player getting what he deserves. Chapman was a bad man and because of that was out of baseball for nearly the last 40 years of his life. (He died in 1993).
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