Chet Lemon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chet Lemon
Lemon in 2012
Outfielder
Born: (1955-02-12)February 12, 1955 Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
Died: May 8, 2025(2025-05-08) (aged 70) Apopka, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
September 9, 1975, for the Chicago White Sox
Last appearance
October 3, 1990, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
Batting average	.273
Home runs	215
Runs batted in	884
Teams
Chicago White Sox (1975–1981) Detroit Tigers (1982–1990)
Career highlights and awards
3× All-Star (1978, 1979, 1984) World Series champion (1984)

Chester Earl Lemon (born February 12, 1955 – died May 8, 2025) was an American professional baseball player. He was an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for sixteen seasons. Chet started his career with the Chicago White Sox in 1975 and played there for six years. Later, he joined the Detroit Tigers in 1982 and played with them until he retired in 1990.

Chet Lemon was born in Jackson, Mississippi, but grew up in Los Angeles. He was chosen in the first round of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft. He became an American League All-Star three times: in 1978, 1979, and 1984. He was the main center fielder for the 1984 Detroit Tigers team that won the 1984 World Series.

Chet was known as one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball for many years. In 1977, he led the American League with 512 putouts in the outfield. This was one of the highest numbers ever recorded. He also led the American League with 44 doubles in 1979. After his playing career, he became a baseball instructor and coach.

Chet Lemon's Early Life

Chet Lemon was born on February 12, 1955, in Jackson, Mississippi. When he was six months old, his family moved to Los Angeles. He went to John C. Fremont High School. There, he played both football and baseball, showing his athletic talent early on.

Chet Lemon's Baseball Career

Starting in the Minor Leagues

Chet Lemon was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft. He began his professional baseball journey in 1972 with a minor league team. He played for a few different minor league teams, including the Burlington Bees.

In 1975, Chet was traded from the Athletics to the Chicago White Sox. Before joining the White Sox, he played for the Triple-A Denver Bears. He had a great season there, batting .307 with eight home runs.

Playing for the Chicago White Sox

When Chet first joined the Chicago White Sox in 1975, he played third base. But in 1976, his coach moved him to the outfield. He quickly became a great center fielder, making very few errors.

In 1977, Chet became even better. He scored 99 runs and hit more home runs. He also set an American League record for outfield putouts, showing how amazing he was at catching balls.

Chet was chosen for the 1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the 1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In 1979, he had his best batting average at .318. He also hit 44 doubles, which was the most in the American League that year.

After the 1981 season, Chet Lemon was traded to the Detroit Tigers.

Playing for the Detroit Tigers

Joining the Tigers in 1982 and 1983

In 1982, Chet Lemon joined the Detroit Tigers. He played mostly in right field that year. It was a tough season for him, as his batting average dropped. He later said that changing positions and dealing with injuries made it hard.

Despite a difficult 1982, the Tigers believed in Chet and signed him to a five-year contract. In 1983, he became the Tigers' main center fielder again. He played excellent defense, making only three errors all season. His manager, Sparky Anderson, called him "the best defensive center fielder I've been around." Chet also hit a career-high 24 home runs that year.

Winning the World Series in 1984

The 1984 season was amazing for the Detroit Tigers, and Chet Lemon was a big part of it. The team started with an incredible 35 wins and only 5 losses. They went on to win the American League East and then defeated the San Diego Padres in the 1984 World Series.

Chet played 135 games in center field and had a fantastic .995 fielding percentage, meaning he made very few errors. He also improved his hitting, with a .287 batting average. He hit 20 home runs and had 76 RBIs. Chet was also the starting center fielder for the American League in the 1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

In the World Series, Chet batted .294 and made a fantastic catch in Game 3, helping the Tigers win the championship.

Later Years with the Tigers (1985–1989)

Chet continued to be the Tigers' starting center fielder for three more seasons (1985-1987). In 1987, he hit at least 20 home runs and 30 doubles again. He also had a great fielding percentage of .992. The 1987 Tigers won the AL East division.

In 1988, Chet moved to right field to make space for a new speedy player, Gary Pettis. He played in right field for the rest of his time with the Tigers.

Health Issues and Retirement

In 1990, Chet Lemon was diagnosed with polycythemia vera, a rare blood disorder. This condition, along with other injuries, caused him to miss many games that season. He retired from baseball after the 1990 season.

In August 1991, Chet was hospitalized with a blood clot. In 2001, he had surgery to remove his spleen.

Career Statistics

Chet Lemon's Personal Life

Chet Lemon had four children with his first wife, Valerie Jones: Geneva, Chester Jr., David, and Marcus. Both David and Marcus followed their father into baseball. Marcus played minor league baseball for many years. Chet later married Gigi Partee, and they had a daughter named Brianna.

Chet became a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses while playing in the minor leagues. Because of his religious beliefs, he chose not to stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner" (the U.S. national anthem). He explained that he gives his loyalty to God's kingdom and does not salute war.

In 1993, Chet Lemon started the Chet Lemon Baseball School in Lake Mary, Florida. He also coached two successful youth baseball teams called Chet Lemon's Juice. Many players from his teams later became MLB players, including Zack Greinke and Prince Fielder. He also coached Eustis High School to a state championship in 2003.

In August 2024, Chet Lemon's family shared that his blood disorder had caused several strokes, which made it difficult for him to speak or walk. Chet Lemon passed away at his home in Apopka, Florida, on May 8, 2025, at the age of 70.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders