Bob Chance – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bob Chance might not be a household name, and he never made it to baseball’s Hall of Fame, but his six seasons in the majors tell a story worth knowing. He played during one of the most competitive eras, and his career is honestly a mix of promise and missed chances.

A Georgia native, Chance played for three teams from 1963 to 1969. He showed off real power and a knack for clutch hitting, which got people talking about him as one of the best rookies in the mid-1960s.

Chance called it a career in 1969, finishing up with the California Angels. He spent six seasons bouncing between the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, and Angels. The way he made it from a small-town high school with no baseball program to the big leagues says a lot about the wild, unpredictable paths players took back in the ‘60s.

Standing 6-foot-2 with a left-handed swing that could send balls into orbit, Chance built a reputation for hitting home runs that supposedly flew over 500 feet. His stats—.261 average, 24 home runs, 112 RBIs in 277 games—only tell part of the story. Weight issues and the tough conditions of his era probably kept him from reaching the heights people expected.

Early Life and Background

Robert Chance grew up in rural Georgia in the 1940s and 1950s. Even with hardly any formal sports opportunities, his athletic talent stood out.

He started his baseball journey in the segregated South, playing multiple sports at William James High School.

Childhood in Statesboro, Georgia

Robert Chance was born on September 10, 1940, in Statesboro, Georgia. Bulloch County’s fields and farms set the backdrop for his early years.

His parents, Willie and Rosa Lee Chance, worked hard in blue-collar jobs to support their only child. Willie farmed and took on labor jobs without formal schooling. Rosa Lee, whose maiden name was also Chance, worked as a housekeeper and had a bit of schooling up to fourth grade.

Robert grew up in a working-class home during the 1940s. The rural Georgia lifestyle shaped him early on, surrounded by farming and agricultural work.

Statesboro gave Chance a classic small-town Southern childhood. The close-knit community provided a space where he could start discovering his athletic side.

High School Years and Amateur Athletics

Chance went to William James High School, an all-Black school with about 160 students. Girls outnumbered boys more than two to one back then.

Over half of Chance’s senior class in 1958-59 participated in the 4-H Club, including him. That club, rooted in agriculture, gave students a shot at leadership and reflected the community’s rural vibe.

Athletic Participation:

• Football
• Basketball
• Baseball (just sandlot and Sunday leagues)

William James High didn’t have a baseball team, so Chance had to find his own way to develop baseball skills. He also loved music, which gave him something to focus on besides sports.

Early Baseball Experiences and Influences

Since his high school didn’t offer baseball, Chance played sandlot games and joined local Sunday leagues. These informal games became his training ground for the power hitting that would later define him.

After graduating, Chance met Herman Mincey. Mincey’s family was from Statesboro, and he managed a semipro team, the Jersey City Cubs, in New Jersey. He invited Chance to join the team.

Key Early Baseball Influence:

• Herman Mincey: Offered Chance a place to stay and a spot with the Jersey City Cubs
• Location: Hudson County, New Jersey
• Impact: Area known for producing major league talent

Mincey let Chance live at his house, so he could focus on baseball. Hudson County had already produced several big leaguers, including John Romano and Jim Hannan.

Moving north marked Chance’s first real step toward pro baseball. The jump from rural Georgia to New Jersey exposed him to tougher competition and got scouts looking his way.

Path to the Major Leagues

Bob Chance’s road to pro baseball started in New Jersey with a semipro team. He later signed with the San Francisco Giants in 1960. He put up big numbers in the minors, including a Triple Crown season, which got the Cleveland Indians’ attention.

Signing with the San Francisco Giants

After high school, Chance linked up with Herman Mincey, who managed the Jersey City Cubs. Mincey gave him a room and a chance to play ball in Hudson County, a place where plenty of future pros got their start.

Scouts Fred Meyer and Frank “Chick” Genovese from the Giants spotted Chance’s potential. They signed him on July 9, 1960, just a couple days before he was set to try out at Roosevelt Stadium.

Chance didn’t get a signing bonus for his contract. “I got nothin’,” he said about it. The Giants wanted him as an outfielder, even though he’d pitched for the Cubs.

Minor League Success and Triple Crown Achievement

Chance made a splash right away with the El Paso Sun Kings in 1961. In his first pro at-bat, he hit a pinch-hit grand slam. Not a bad way to start.

He played alongside future big leaguers José Cardenal and Dick Dietz. That year, El Paso finished 73-57. Chance batted .371, second-best in the Sophomore League, with 16 home runs and 96 RBIs.

He earned a spot on the league’s All-Star team. After moving through the Carolina and Eastern Leagues in 1962, he broke out in 1963.

With the Charleston Indians in 1963, Chance led the Eastern League in 10 offensive categories. He hit .343, smashed 26 home runs, and drove in 114 runs.

Triple Crown Achievement:

• Batting Average: .343
• Home Runs: 26
• RBIs: 114

No one had pulled off a Triple Crown in the Eastern League since 1925. He got voted unanimously to the All-Star team and Topps named him Eastern League Player of the Year.

Selection by the Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians needed offense after losing outfielders Marty Keough and Jim King in the 1960 expansion draft. General manager Frank Lane and his staff looked at Chance as a possible answer.

Cleveland picked up Chance in the 1961 first-year player draft, grabbing him from the Giants’ system. Chance welcomed the new start.

“I knew I’d never make the Giants,” Chance said. “Not with players like Mays, McCovey and the Alous in the outfield.” Cleveland gave him a clearer shot at the majors.

His huge 1963 season in Charleston earned him a September call-up. Chance made his big league debut on September 4, 1963, facing Hall of Famer Robin Roberts.

Major League Career Highlights

Bob Chance played six seasons in the big leagues, from 1963 to 1969. His best years came with Cleveland, where he hit .279 with 14 home runs and 75 RBIs in 1964.

After Cleveland, he spent time in Washington and ended his MLB run with the California Angels in 1969.

Cleveland Indians Tenure

Chance debuted on September 4, 1963, against the Orioles. He went hitless in three at-bats, striking out twice against Robin Roberts.

His breakout came in 1964 as a rookie. Chance led the Indians with a .279 average and tied for the team lead with a .346 on-base percentage.

He knocked in 75 runs in just 390 at-bats, averaging an RBI every 5.2 at-bats.

Key 1964 Highlights:

• 14 home runs (fifth on the team)
• .780 OPS (second on the team)
• Named to Topps All-Star Rookie Team

He had some memorable games that year. On June 7, he hit two home runs in a 3-2 win over Washington.

On his birthday, July 10, 1964, Chance celebrated with two home runs and five RBIs against Baltimore.

Manager Birdie Tebbetts said Chance was so strong, he could “be fooled on a pitch and still knock it out of the park.”

Washington Senators Contributions

The Indians traded Chance and Woodie Held to Washington for Chuck Hinton on December 1, 1964. Cleveland worried about Chance’s 25-pound weight gain.

Manager Gil Hodges had faith in him at first, telling fans Chance was “the kind of hitter who could wind up leading the league.”

Chance started 1965 hot, batting .283 in April. But things cooled off in May, and the team sent him down to Triple-A Hawaii.

Notable Washington Moments:

• Pinch-hit grand slam on April 17, 1966
• Three-run pinch-hit homer after a recall in 1967
• Game-winning two-run single on September 2, 1965

His time with the Senators was rocky. He couldn’t hold down regular playing time, though he showed flashes of his Cleveland form.

Mike Epstein’s arrival as first baseman made things tougher for Chance. Most of his best work came in the minors with the Hawaii Islanders.

California Angels and 1969 Retirement

Chance landed with the California Angels for his final major league season in 1969. His stint was short and marked the end of his MLB days.

He played his last game on April 29, 1969, against Seattle. Chance went 0-for-1 in his final big league at-bat.

Career Totals:

• Batting Average: .261
• Home Runs: 24
• RBIs: 112
• Games: 277

After leaving MLB, Chance kept playing professionally in Japan. His major league career ended after six seasons with three different teams.

Playing Style and On-Field Impact

Bob Chance brought a mix of raw power and technical challenges to his six years in the majors. His odd batting grip and serious strength made him a threat at the plate, but defensive struggles and trouble with night games affected his impact.

First Baseman Skills and Fielding

Chance played mostly first base and right field in the majors. His defensive skills were solid, but he never really stood out at first base. At 6-foot-2, he fit the mold for the position.

His weight became a problem as his career went on. He started at 196 pounds, but that number went up to 222 pounds or more later. The extra pounds slowed him down and limited the positions he could handle.

As his range shrank, teams played him less. Coaches saw his weight as a real issue that hurt his value.

Hitting Power and Batting Techniques

Chance could absolutely crush the ball, hitting home runs that some claimed traveled over 500 feet. His odd batting grip—right palm wrapped around the bat’s knob—helped him generate crazy power, even on pitches that fooled him.

In 1964, his rookie year with Cleveland, he hit .279 with 14 home runs and 75 RBIs in 390 at-bats. He drove in a run every 5.2 at-bats, which is pretty impressive.

Chance was always dangerous with runners on base. In the majors, he averaged 6.67 at-bats per RBI. During his 1963 Triple Crown minor league season, he was even better, with a 4.7 AB/RBI rate.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Chance’s biggest strength was his clutch hitting. He drove in runs at a high rate, no matter the level. Coaches loved his swing, with one calling it “a beautiful, natural swing.”

His power was legendary. Manager George Strickland once said, “He was so strong, that he can be fooled on a pitch and still knock it out of the park.”

But Chance struggled at night. He batted .288 in day games, but only .231 under the lights. Out of all his career multi-hit games, fifteen happened during the day and just two at night.

Adaptation to 1960s Baseball Landscape

Chance played in a tough era for hitters, often called the “pitcher’s decade.” The 1960s saw mound heights go unchecked, and offensive numbers dropped all over the league.

Power hitters, like Chance, had a hard time keeping their stats up. The growing number of night games during this period really affected Chance’s performance.

He struggled under artificial lighting, and as baseball shifted to more evening games, his effectiveness dropped. Still, Chance managed to find success in certain situations.

He finished with a career .261 batting average and 24 home runs, which really reflects the tough offensive environment of his era. When he got steady playing time in the minors and later in Japan, he usually hit around .300.

That suggests the major league context played a big role in shaping his stats.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Bob Chance wrapped up his six-season Major League Baseball career with a .261 batting average, 24 home runs, and 112 RBIs across 277 games.

His best year came in 1964 with the Cleveland Indians, when he hit .279 with 14 home runs and 75 RBIs. He even earned a spot on the Topps All-Star Rookie Team.

Batting Performance and Key Stats

Chance’s career batting stats show a player who flashed early promise but had trouble staying consistent in the majors. That 1964 season really stands out—he led the Indians with a .279 batting average and a .346 on-base percentage.

As a first baseman and outfielder, he showed impressive RBI efficiency throughout his career. In 1964, he drove in 75 runs in just 390 at-bats, averaging one RBI every 5.20 at-bats.

His career RBI rate of 6.67 at-bats per RBI was actually pretty solid compared to his teammates. Chance hit much better in day games than at night.

He batted .288 in day games (115-for-400), but under the lights, his average dropped to .231 (80-for-347). That split really hurt his overall numbers, especially as night games became the norm.

Chance had real power—some of his home runs supposedly went over 500 feet. He put together 15 games with three or more hits, and 13 of those happened during the day.

Comparisons to Peers

In the 1960s, Chance played during a time when offensive numbers fell and strike zones got bigger. His .261 career batting average was respectable for that era, but it didn’t quite reach star territory.

His 1964 rookie campaign stood out among his peers. That year, he ranked second on the Indians in OPS (.780) and RBIs, just behind his roommate Leon Wagner, who led the club with 100 RBIs at a rate of one RBI every 6.41 at-bats.

His minor league stats hinted at even more potential. In 1963 with Charleston, he won the Eastern League Triple Crown with a .343 average, 26 home runs, and 114 RBIs.

His 4.7 at-bats per RBI rate in the minors showed offensive talent that never quite carried over to the majors. Weight gain limited his defensive versatility compared to other players of his time.

He stood 6-foot-2, but his weight went from 196 pounds as a rookie to over 222 pounds, which cut down his mobility and playing time.

Influence on the Teams He Played For

Chance’s impact on his three major league teams varied a lot. With Cleveland in 1964, he delivered crucial offense as a rookie, stabilizing first base and boosting the team’s lineup.

Manager Birdie Tebbetts praised Chance’s work ethic and natural swing. Coach Solly Hemus said, “He has a beautiful, natural swing.” Interim manager George Strickland pointed out his strength, saying Chance “can be fooled on a pitch and still knock it out of the park.”

The Indians traded Chance to Washington in December 1964. Manager Tebbetts admitted the team “sure did give up a lot of talent,” which showed how much Cleveland needed steady offense during a rough stretch in the 1960s.

His stint with Washington didn’t go as well. Manager Gil Hodges started out hopeful but eventually lost faith in Chance’s ability to play regularly.

Chance had a short run with California in 1969, which ended his major league career, though he kept playing in Japan for a while.

Life After Baseball

Bob Chance left professional baseball in 1969 after six seasons in the majors. He lived a quiet life after retirement, eventually moving back to Georgia, where he stayed until his death in 2013.

Transition Away from Professional Baseball

Bob Chance’s pro baseball career wrapped up after the 1969 season with the California Angels. He had trouble getting regular playing time in his final years.

He made his last major league appearance during the 1969 expansion season. The creation of new teams opened up roster spots, giving Chance one last shot at the majors after some time in Japan.

After baseball, Chance had to figure out a new career outside of sports. Like a lot of players from his era, he needed to find work in the regular job market.

This transition wasn’t easy for the Georgia native. He had devoted his whole adult life to baseball since signing with the San Francisco Giants organization in 1960.

Post-Retirement Activities and Community Involvement

Not much is known about Bob Chance’s post-retirement activities. Public records don’t offer many details, and he seemed to prefer a private lifestyle after leaving baseball.

Chance eventually moved back to Georgia, where he’d grown up. He settled into life in his home state, away from the baseball spotlight.

His wife, Carrie “Cookie” Chance, whom he married in 1964, stayed by his side through his post-baseball years. They met back in 1963 when Chance played for the Charleston Indians.

He lived quietly in Georgia for more than four decades after retiring. Unlike some former players who went into coaching or broadcasting, Chance mostly stayed out of the public eye.

Commemoration and Remembering Bob Chance

Robert “Bob” Chance died on October 3, 2013, at 73. He spent 44 years living beyond his last major league season.

Baseball fans, especially those who followed the Cleveland Indians, noticed his passing. They still talk about his promising rookie season in 1964, which really stood out as the highlight of his career.

People remembered Chance for his power at the plate. When he got the chance, he could drive in runs, and his .261 career batting average included some genuinely memorable moments—especially during that rookie year.

Carrie, his wife, passed away before him, as did his parents, Willie and Rosa Lee Chance. Throughout his life, his family stayed close, always supporting him through both his baseball years and retirement.