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

Bob Chipman put together a solid 12-year run in Major League Baseball, pitching for three teams between 1941 and 1952. Born in Brooklyn, he threw left-handed for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Braves, playing during World War II and the years that followed. Chipman wrapped up his career after the 1952 season, finishing with 51 wins, 46 losses, and a 3.72 earned run average across 293 games.

He started out in Brooklyn and eventually found himself pitching in ballparks all over the National League. Chipman kicked off his big league journey by winning his debut with the pennant-bound Dodgers in 1941. He spent a chunk of the war years sharpening his skills in the minors.

A trade to the Chicago Cubs in 1944 opened the door to his most productive stretch, including an appearance in the 1945 World Series.

Chipman’s story gives a glimpse into baseball during a time of big changes. From his early days as an amateur to his last game against his old Brooklyn team in 1952, his career mirrors what a lot of players went through while dealing with wartime baseball, team switches, and the shifting game of the 1940s and early ’50s.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Bob Chipman started his baseball journey in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born on October 11, 1918. Later, his family moved out to Long Island, and he really honed his baseball skills in Northport during his high school years.

Brooklyn Roots and Education

Robert Howard Chipman grew up in Brooklyn, New York, in a working-class family. Those early years in the busy borough set the stage for his first pro baseball home.

The Chipmans moved to Long Island when Bob was still a kid. That move turned out to be a big deal for his growth as a ballplayer. Long Island gave him more room and more chances to play sports.

Bob got hooked on baseball pretty early. He played in neighborhood youth leagues and stood out as a left-handed pitcher.

The family ended up in Northport, a small town on Long Island’s north shore. Northport became the heart of Bob’s amateur baseball career.

High School Achievements in Northport

Bob went to Northport High School, where he shined on the baseball team. His left-handed pitching stood out to coaches and scouts nearby.

He dominated the high school competition, especially as a junior and senior. Bob’s fastball and control impressed just about everyone who watched him.

College scouts came calling, offering him a chance to keep playing. Professional scouts started to notice him too.

His high school numbers were really strong for the time. Bob struck out plenty of batters and kept his ERA low. Northport was where he built the foundation for his pro career.

Origin of the ‘Mr. Chips’ Nickname

People started calling Bob “Mr. Chips” while he was still playing amateur ball. The name just made sense—Chipman, “Chips,” you get the idea.

Fans and teammates in high school picked up the nickname first. It stuck with him all the way through his pro days.

The name also fit his personality. Bob was friendly and easy to talk to, which made “Mr. Chips” feel just right.

Even when he made it to the majors, teammates and sportswriters kept using the nickname. You’d see it pop up in newspaper stories and game write-ups.

Path to the Major Leagues

Bob Chipman worked his way up to the majors through the minor leagues in the late 1930s and early ’40s, building his reputation as a left-handed pitcher. He played for teams like Greenwood, Savannah, Atlanta, and the Montreal Royals, and those seasons really set him up for his shot with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Minor League Success and Statistics

Chipman kicked off his pro baseball career in the minors in 1939. He started out with Greenwood, learning the ropes of pitching at the professional level.

In 1940, he joined Savannah. That year gave him a taste of tougher competition.

By 1941, Chipman was pitching for Atlanta before finally getting the call to the majors. Atlanta played a key role in his development.

Key Minor League Teams:

• 1939: Greenwood
• 1940: Savannah
• 1941: Atlanta
• 1942-1943: Montreal Royals

He improved steadily each season. Facing new challenges every year helped him get ready for the big leagues.

Players back then usually spent a few years in the minors before making it to the majors. Chipman’s path was pretty typical.

Developing as a Left-Handed Pitcher

As a left-handed pitcher, Chipman brought real value to his teams. Lefties always seemed to have an edge, especially against other left-handed batters.

He stood 6 feet 2 inches and weighed 190 pounds, so he had the size teams wanted. That frame gave him extra power on the mound.

During his minor league years, he added new pitches and worked on his control. Lefties didn’t come around as often, so he always had that advantage.

Coaches helped him fine-tune his delivery. That focus on mechanics paid off later in the majors.

Playing in different minor league towns taught him how to handle all sorts of conditions. That experience helped him adjust quickly once he reached the big stage.

Montreal Royals and MLB Call-Up

Chipman pitched for the Montreal Royals in 1942 and 1943. The Royals played a big part in developing Dodgers prospects.

Montreal gave him the chance to face some really good players. A lot of future big leaguers passed through that team.

His strong performances in Montreal caught the eye of Brooklyn Dodgers scouts. The Dodgers had a reputation for building up good pitchers.

The American professional baseball player made his major league debut on September 28, 1941 with Brooklyn. That call-up was a direct result of his minor league success.

He didn’t pitch long in his first outing, but he got the job done. That small taste of the majors earned him more chances.

Making it to the big leagues was the payoff for years of effort in the minors. Chipman had finally made the leap from small-town ball to the show.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Bob Chipman pitched in the majors for twelve seasons, from 1941 to 1952. He finished with a 51-46 record and a 3.72 ERA over 293 games.

He started out with the Brooklyn Dodgers, hit his stride with the Chicago Cubs, and wrapped things up with the Boston Braves.

Brooklyn Dodgers Tenure

Chipman made his MLB debut on September 28, 1941, for the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 22. He pitched five innings against Philadelphia, didn’t allow an earned run, and got the win.

His time with Brooklyn was short but promising. He only appeared in four games over three seasons (1941-1943), throwing just eight innings total.

He added two more appearances in 1942 and 1943. Even with limited action, he kept a perfect 0.00 ERA.

The Dodgers traded him to the Chicago Cubs in 1944. That move really changed the course of his career.

Chicago Cubs Years

Chipman found his groove with the Chicago Cubs from 1944 to 1949. He became a dependable starter and reliever, pitching in 189 games across six seasons.

His best year came in 1944, when he went 9-9 with a 3.49 ERA over 26 games. He started 21 times that year and finished eight games, including a shutout.

Key Chicago Cubs Statistics:

• Win-Loss Record: 35-34
• ERA: 3.56
• Games: 189
• Innings Pitched: 618.2

The Cubs used him in all sorts of ways. He started 72 games and came out of the bullpen 45 times, showing he could handle whatever the team needed.

He had his most productive run from 1946 to 1947. In those two seasons, he picked up 13 wins and logged over 240 innings.

Boston Braves Final Seasons

The Boston Braves picked up Chipman in 1950, and he spent his last three seasons there. He mostly worked out of the bullpen, starting only 12 of his 89 games with Boston.

In 1950, he finished 7-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 27 games. He started 12 times and completed four games, proving he could still start when needed.

By 1951 and 1952, Chipman pitched entirely in relief, making 62 appearances without a single start.

His last big league game came on September 28, 1952—exactly eleven years after his debut. He tossed two scoreless innings against the Dodgers, his old team.

The Braves released him after that season, and at age 34, his major league career was over.

Key Career Highlights and Performance

Bob Chipman’s 12 years in the majors from 1941 to 1952 gave him a 51-46 record in 293 games. He pitched both as a starter and a reliever, helping out three different teams along the way.

Notable Wins and Records

Chipman’s best season came in 1944, when he won 12 games, splitting time between Brooklyn and Chicago. That win-loss record of 51-46 shows he was a steady performer over his career.

His MLB debut on September 28, 1941, stands out. He threw five scoreless innings in relief against the Phillies, got the win, and helped Brooklyn notch its 100th victory of the year.

He pitched for the Cubs’ 1945 pennant-winning team. In the 1945 World Series, he came out of the bullpen in Game 5 against Detroit, though the Cubs lost the series.

He played in 293 games, starting 87 and coming out of the bullpen for the rest. That kind of flexibility made him a valuable part of every team he joined.

Complete Games and Shutouts

When Chipman started games, he had the stamina and control to go the distance. He finished 29 complete games in his career.

He also threw seven shutouts, showing he could completely shut down opposing hitters. Not bad for a guy who spent plenty of time in the bullpen.

Chipman stood 6’2″ and weighed 190 pounds, giving him a strong presence on the mound. That size definitely helped him stay effective whether he was starting or relieving.

Saves and Relief Pitching

Chipman’s relief work really showed off his versatility. He notched 14 saves over his career, which is impressive considering the save stat wasn’t even official until 1969.

He wrapped up his MLB career on September 28, 1952, against Brooklyn. He pitched two scoreless innings, didn’t give up a hit, and struck out one—going out on a high note.

That relief pitcher role suited him in his later years. Managers knew they could count on him for solid innings whenever they called his number.

World Series and Postseason Appearances

Bob Chipman pitched in two World Series during his 12-year career—first with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941, and later with the Chicago Cubs in 1945. His biggest playoff moment came as a reliever in Game 5 of the 1945 World Series against the Detroit Tigers.

1941 Season and World Series Context

Chipman broke into the Major Leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers in September 1941. He pitched five scoreless innings in relief against the Philadelphia Phillies, and that was his only game during the regular season.

The Dodgers had already locked up the National League pennant three days before Chipman took the mound. He grabbed the win, making it Brooklyn’s 100th victory of the season, which definitely stands out as a memorable moment for the team.

Even though Chipman was on the roster when Brooklyn won the pennant, he couldn’t play in the 1941 World Series. The Dodgers ended up facing the New York Yankees that fall, and they lost the series four games to one.

Role in the 1945 National League Pennant Chase

By 1944, the Dodgers traded Chipman to the Chicago Cubs. He spent the next five and a half seasons in Chicago, appearing in 189 games, and started 72 of those.

The Cubs won the 1945 National League pennant, which gave Chipman another shot at the World Series. His regular season performances helped Chicago finally grab their first pennant since 1938.

During that campaign, Chipman mostly pitched in relief. The Cubs leaned on his left-handed arm, especially in those tense late-season matchups.

1945 World Series Performance Against Detroit Tigers

Chipman got into Game 5 of the 1945 World Series as a reliever against the Detroit Tigers. That was actually his only appearance in a World Series game during his whole career.

The series stretched all the way to seven games, but the Tigers edged out the Cubs, four games to three. Game 5 happened at Wrigley Field, and Chipman came in from the bullpen for Chicago.

People still talk about that series as one of the most competitive fall classics from the 1940s. Both teams had strong pitching, so those relief appearances really mattered in deciding who’d come out on top.

Retirement, Legacy, and Honors

Bob Chipman wrapped up his big league career in 1952 after spending 12 seasons in the majors. Years later, the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 2006 to honor his contributions.

Retirement in 1952 and Later Years

Chipman played his last major league game on September 28, 1952, exactly 11 years after his debut. He finished his career with the Boston Braves at age 33.

His career stats included a 51-46 record over 293 appearances. He started 87 games during his dozen years in pro ball.

Career Highlights:

• 29 complete games
• 7 shutouts
• 14 saves as a reliever

After leaving baseball, Chipman returned to regular life. He’d managed to go from a wartime pitcher to a steady big league veteran who stuck around for more than a decade.

Sadly, Chipman’s life after baseball was shorter than anyone would’ve hoped. He passed away on November 8, 1973, in Huntington, New York, at age 55 after a battle with cancer.

Posthumous Recognition and Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame

In 2006, the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame honored Chipman’s baseball career by inducting him. They put him in the baseball category because of what he brought to the sport.

The Hall of Fame highlighted his ties to Long Island baseball. Chipman, though born in Brooklyn, went to school in Northport and played for the Northport Tigers.

Back in high school, he picked up the nickname “Mr. Chips.” That name stuck with him all the way through his time in the major leagues.

His induction really celebrated both his local roots and the mark he made in professional baseball. The Hall of Fame gave him this honor more than 30 years after he passed away and over 50 years after he retired.