Chuck Workman (baseball)

Charles Thomas Workman (January 6, 1915 in Leeton, Missouri – January 3, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri) was a professional baseball player. A right-handed hitter, Workman played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians, Boston Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates, most often as a right fielder or third baseman.

Workman made his major league debut on September 18, 1938 with the Indians at age 23. That year, Workman had a batting average of .400 in 5 at bats in 2 games. Workman played in the minors until 1941, when he had no hits in four at bats for the Indians.

In 1943 Workman was acquired by the Braves from the minor league Nashville Volunteers. The Braves' regular right fielder in 1942, Paul Waner, was released in January, and Workman was given the starting job. That year he hit .249 in 615 at bats in 153 games. The next year Workman hit .208 in 418 at bats in 140 games.

In 1945 Workman had his breakout year. With the Braves continuing to lose players to World War II service, third baseman Dee Phillips left the team after the 1944 season, and Workman was moved to third base, with center fielder Tommy Holmes moved to right and Carden Gillenwater brought in to play center. The move seemed to help Workman at the plate, as he hit .274 with 25 home runs, both career best marks. His home run total placed him second in the National League, and first in home runs per at bat (Workman had one home run for every 20.560 at bats.)The same year Workman's batting average placed him as third on his team.

In 1946, Workman got off to a slow start, hitting only .167 in his first 48 at bats. The Braves decided to trade him, and Workman was traded on June 12, 1946 to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Johnny Barrett. Chuck hit .221 in 145 at bats with the Pirates. After a disappointing 1946, Workman returned to the minor leagues, where he continued to play until 1951.

At the time of his retirement, Workman had a career batting average of .242. He finished with 1749 at bats in 526 games. He drove in 230 runs during his career. Workman hit fifty home runs over the course of his career. His lifetime fielding percentage was .959.