Chet Brewer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chet Brewer |
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: January 14, 1907 Leavenworth, Kansas |
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| Died: March 26, 1990 (aged 83) Whittier, California |
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| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 59–51 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.42 | ||
| Strikeouts | 468 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Chester Arthur Brewer (born January 14, 1907 – died March 26, 1990) was an amazing American baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues. These leagues were where African American players played before baseball was integrated. Chet was born in Leavenworth, Kansas. He played for the famous Kansas City Monarchs. After playing, he became a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He helped find new talent for them from 1957 to 1974.
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Chet Brewer's Baseball Journey
Chet Brewer played baseball for 24 years! He played for many different teams. He even played all over the world. His travels took him to places like China, Japan, Mexico, and Canada. He also played in 44 of the 48 states in the U.S.
Pitching for the Kansas City Monarchs
While playing for the Kansas City Monarchs, Brewer was part of a legendary pitching team. He played alongside famous pitchers like Satchel Paige and Bullet Rogan. Chet had a very fast fastball. He also had a special pitch called an "overhand drop ball." This pitch was very tricky for left-handed batters to hit. He even knew how to throw an emery ball, which was a special pitch that was allowed back then.
Playing Against Major Leaguers
Chet Brewer's career was full of exciting experiences. He got to play against some of the biggest stars from Major League Baseball. In 1934, he pitched against an all-star team. This team included famous players like Jimmie Foxx.
Later, Chet became a manager for the Kansas City Royals. They played in the California Winter League. Here, he faced more major league players, including the legendary Bob Feller.
Coaching Young Talent
In 1945, Chet Brewer managed the Kansas City Royals again. He coached many players who would become famous. One of these young players was Jackie Robinson. Jackie later made history by breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. He joined the Brooklyn Dodgers.
A Pioneer in Minor League Baseball
In 1952, Chet Brewer became a player-manager for the Porterville Comets. This team was part of the Southwest International League. This was a big deal because he became one of the first African American managers in Minor League Baseball history. He joined Sam Bankhead, who had managed a year earlier. Even at 45 years old, Chet still pitched well. He had a good record of 6 wins and 5 losses.
Inspiring Future Stars
Even after his playing days, Chet Brewer kept helping young baseball players. From 1985 to 1990, he coached young athletes in Los Angeles. He worked with them on weekends. Some of these players later became professional baseball stars. These included George Hendrick, Ellis Valentine, and Reggie Smith.
Chet Brewer was a true baseball hero. He passed away at age 83 in Whittier, California. He left behind a great legacy in baseball.
