Chris Knapp – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Chris Knapp’s baseball career only spanned six seasons, but his journey from first-round draft pick to Major League pitcher is a story of promise and perseverance. The tall right-hander from North Carolina, standing 6 feet 5 inches, made his mark on two American League teams in the mid-to-late 1970s.

Knapp retired from Major League Baseball in 1980 after spending his last three seasons with the California Angels. He started his career with the Chicago White Sox in 1975. Over his career, Knapp appeared in 122 MLB games, notched a 36-32 win-loss record, and struck out 355 batters. He showed early promise, especially in 1977 and 1978, but his effectiveness faded toward the end.

Knapp’s career, from his college days at Central Michigan University to his draft selection and eventual trade, really shows the challenges pitchers face trying to maintain consistency at the highest level. His story includes the highs of winning 12 and 14 games in back-to-back seasons, the tricky business of player trades, and the tough transition from professional baseball to life after the game.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Robert Christian Knapp was born on September 16, 1953, in Cherry Point, North Carolina. That’s where he started building his love for baseball.

His journey from a young athlete to a Major League Baseball draft pick included standout performances at Central Michigan University.

Family Background

Robert Christian Knapp came into the world on September 16, 1953, in Cherry Point, North Carolina. Cherry Point, a United States Marine Corps air station, gave the community a strong military vibe during Knapp’s early years.

He grew up in a supportive household that encouraged his athletic pursuits. His family noticed his natural sports talent early on.

Knapp’s physical growth worked in his favor for baseball. He eventually reached 6 feet 5 inches and weighed 195 pounds, pretty much the ideal frame for a pitcher.

As a kid, his right-handed throwing ability stood out. That natural motion would later become a big part of his pro pitching style.

High School Baseball Years

Knapp’s high school baseball career set the stage for everything that followed. He built his pitching skills during those years, working on mechanics and gaining confidence.

College scouts started to notice him. His height, arm strength, and control made him a real prospect.

During high school, Knapp worked on his fastball and secondary pitches. He put in the hours, practicing and performing consistently in games.

All that high school experience helped him handle pressure and compete against quality opponents.

Central Michigan University Achievements

Knapp went on to Central Michigan University, where he kept developing as a pitcher. His college career caught the attention of Major League scouts.

The university’s baseball program gave him advanced coaching and tougher competition. He faced stronger hitters and learned to adapt.

His performance at Central Michigan impressed the pros. The Chicago White Sox picked him in the first round of the 1975 MLB draft.

That first-round selection validated his college work and launched his pro career. The White Sox saw his potential as a starter, thanks to his size and college success.

MLB Draft and Entry into Professional Baseball

Chris Knapp entered pro baseball in the 1975 MLB draft when the Chicago White Sox picked him 11th overall. He started his transition from college to the pros in the White Sox minor league system.

1975 MLB Draft and Chicago White Sox Selection

The Chicago White Sox made Chris Knapp their first-round pick in the 1975 MLB June Amateur Draft. He went 11th overall after wrapping up his college career at Central Michigan.

At Central Michigan, Knapp already stood out as a pitcher. In his senior season in 1975, he posted a 3-4 record with a 2.70 ERA over nine games, starting eight of them. He completed five games and struck out 71 batters in 50 innings.

The White Sox liked what they saw in the 6-foot-5, 195-pound righty. His build and pitching chops made him a valuable prospect. Being a first-rounder showed the team believed in him.

Knapp signed with Chicago soon after the draft. At just 21, he was ready to start his pro baseball journey with a storied franchise.

Minor League Development

After signing, Knapp moved quickly through the White Sox farm system. He made his MLB debut on September 4, 1975, appearing in two games that rookie season.

His 1975 MLB debut was brief but showed promise. He pitched 2.0 innings, posted a 4.50 ERA, struck out three, and walked four. That early call-up showed the team thought he was ready for the big leagues.

In 1976, Knapp split time between the Triple-A Iowa Oaks and the White Sox. At Iowa, he put up a 7-2 record with a 2.56 ERA in 11 games. He completed six games and threw two shutouts.

With the White Sox in 1976, Knapp played in 11 games, starting six. He went 3-1 with a 4.82 ERA over 52.1 innings. That performance helped him carve out a role in the team’s future.

Chicago White Sox MLB Career (1975–1977)

Chris Knapp debuted with the Chicago White Sox in September 1975 and became a reliable starter over three seasons. In 1977, he broke out with 12 wins and four complete games, cementing his spot in the White Sox rotation.

Major League Debut

Knapp broke into the majors on September 4, 1975, at age 21 with the White Sox. The righty from Central Michigan had been the team’s first-round pick, 11th overall, in the 1975 draft.

He made just two appearances in 1975, pitching 2.0 innings with a 4.50 ERA. That short stint gave him a taste of the big leagues.

The next year, 1976, his role grew a lot. Knapp played in 11 games, started six, and picked up his first MLB wins. He finished 3-1 with a 4.82 ERA over 52.1 innings.

Notable 1977 Season Performances

In 1977, Knapp really broke through with the White Sox. He started 26 games out of 27 total appearances and put up a 12-7 record, proving he could win consistently.

He showed durability, completing four games and pitching 146.1 innings—almost triple his previous year’s workload. His 4.80 ERA was about the same as in 1976.

Knapp struck out 103 batters in 1977, showing he could miss bats. That strikeout total reflected his solid pitch command. He became a key part of the rotation.

Statistical Highlights with the White Sox

Over three seasons with the White Sox, Knapp compiled a 15-8 record with a 4.80 ERA in 40 games. He started 32 times and logged 200.2 innings, showing value as both a starter and reliever.

He struck out 147 batters in Chicago. Knapp also completed five games with the White Sox, most of them in 1977.

Key Chicago White Sox Stats:

• Record: 15-8 (.652 winning percentage)
• ERA: 4.80
• Strikeouts: 147
• Complete Games: 5
• Innings Pitched: 200.2

After the 1977 season, the White Sox traded Knapp, Brian Downing, and Dave Frost to the California Angels for Bobby Bonds, Thad Bosley, and Richard Dotson on December 5, 1977.

California Angels MLB Career (1978–1980)

Chris Knapp joined the California Angels in 1978 and had his best MLB year that season, winning 14 games and tossing 6 complete games. His performance dipped sharply over the next two years, and by 1980, he finished with a tough 2-11 record before retiring.

Trade to California Angels

Knapp moved to the California Angels before the 1978 season. This marked a fresh start after three years with Chicago.

The Angels gave him more chances as a starter. He jumped right into their rotation, starting 29 games his first year.

Career-High Years and Complete Games

The 1978 season was the high point of Knapp’s MLB career with the Angels. He posted a 14-8 record with a 4.21 ERA in 30 games and 29 starts.

He showed durability, throwing 6 complete games and racking up 188.1 innings. Knapp struck out 126 batters, a career high for a single season.

That year, he won more games than ever. Paired with his 12 wins in 1977, those two seasons marked his peak as a big-league pitcher.

Performance Decline and 1980 Season

Knapp’s performance dropped off in his last two years with California. In 1979, he went 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA in 20 games.

The 1980 season, his last in MLB, was rough. He finished with a 2-11 record and a 6.14 ERA in 32 games, 20 of them starts.

His strikeout numbers fell hard, down to just 46 in 1980 after peaking at 126 two years earlier. After the 1980 season, Knapp stepped away from professional baseball at 26.

Pitching Style and Career Statistics

Chris Knapp’s six-year MLB career ended with a 36-32 record and a 4.99 ERA over 122 games for the White Sox and Angels. The 6’5″ righty struck out 355 batters, showing both promise and inconsistency.

Pitch Arsenal and Approach

Knapp used his big 6-foot-5 frame to generate power on the mound. His height let him create a steep angle on his pitches, which worked especially well against right-handed hitters.

He focused on power pitching, not finesse. With 355 strikeouts in 122 games, he clearly had above-average velocity and could make hitters miss.

His delivery benefited from his size. At 195 pounds, Knapp had the build to keep his velocity up deep into games as a starter.

His style fit the late 1970s, when teams leaned toward power arms more than movement or deception.

Key MLB Statistical Overview

Knapp’s numbers show a pitcher with decent win totals but control issues. He finished with 36 wins and 32 losses, a .529 winning percentage over six seasons.

Career Highlights:

• 12 wins in 1977 with the White Sox
• 14 wins in 1978 with the Angels
• 355 career strikeouts in 122 games
• 4.99 career ERA

In 1980, his home and road splits were dramatic. At home, Knapp had a 4.88 ERA in 15 games, giving up 70 hits in 62.2 innings.

On the road that year, things got rough. He posted a 7.64 ERA in 17 games, allowing 63 hits in 54.2 innings.

His 1980 walk totals highlight his control problems. He walked 23 at home and 28 on the road, which definitely didn’t help his ERA.

Analysis of Strengths and Weaknesses

Knapp really knew how to miss bats. His strikeout rate shows he had the kind of stuff that could overpower MLB hitters—at least when he put the ball where he wanted.

He put together back-to-back seasons with 12 and 14 wins. That run showed he could be a reliable starter, and those were definitely his best years in the majors.

But control issues followed Knapp everywhere. That 4.99 ERA? It points right at his command problems, especially on the road in 1980 when he walked 28 batters in just 54.2 innings.

Home runs also gave him trouble. In 1980, he allowed 18 homers between home and away games, making it clear he struggled to keep the ball in the park.

He managed to hang around for six seasons, which says something about his talent. Still, inconsistency kept him from ever becoming a true front-line starter.

Post-Retirement Life and Legacy

Chris Knapp’s career ended suddenly in 1980 after a back injury, but his impact on baseball didn’t just stop there. His story really shows both the challenges athletes face when leaving pro sports and the kind of influence a player can have even after stepping away.

Transition from Professional Sports

Knapp retired right after a tough 2-11 season in 1980. That back injury—he slipped on a wet mound at Yankee Stadium in May 1979—pretty much ended things for him at just 27.

Unlike guys who slowly fade out, Knapp had to make an abrupt exit. The injury forced him to leave baseball during what should’ve been his prime.

He had to figure out life without the routine and identity that baseball had given him. After six years in the majors, finding new direction outside the game couldn’t have been easy.

Money became a big factor for Knapp, too. His earnings from the late ’70s needed careful planning to support his life after baseball. Players back then just didn’t have the big financial safety net that today’s athletes enjoy.

Influence on Baseball Community

Knapp’s experience sparked some real conversations about player safety and field conditions. His injury at Yankee Stadium put a spotlight on the risks that came from poorly maintained fields.

People started talking more about stadium groundskeeping standards after what happened to him. His case made it obvious how quickly a promising career could end because of something as simple as a bad playing surface.

Players from his era often stayed involved with local baseball communities. Former teammates and opponents remembered Knapp as a talented pitcher whose career ended for reasons out of his hands.

His story still stands as a cautionary tale about how unpredictable a pro sports career can be. Young players might want to take note—preparing for life after baseball is probably more important than they realize.

Legacy as a 1980s MLB Pitcher

Knapp really hit his stride in 1978 with the California Angels, finishing with a 14-8 record. That year, he looked like a reliable starting pitcher—until an injury threw everything off course.

Here’s what his career numbers look like:

• 122 MLB games pitched
• 6 seasons in the big leagues
• Two teams: Chicago White Sox and California Angels

You can see his story in a lot of players from the late ’70s and early ’80s. Back then, guys like Knapp dealt with challenges that today’s players might not even think about, like less medical support and not much help when it came time to move on from baseball.

Knapp’s career didn’t last long, but it still stands out. He flashed real talent in 1977 and 1978, and then, almost out of nowhere, things changed. That’s baseball for you—sometimes it just doesn’t go the way you hope.