Chick King – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Charles Gilbert “Chick” King wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1959 after five seasons as an outfielder with three different teams. The Tennessee native played his final game on May 30, 1959, for the St. Louis Cardinals, closing out a professional baseball journey that started back in the Detroit Tigers’ farm system in 1951.

King played in the majors from 1954 to 1959, getting into 45 games for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals, and finishing with a .237 batting average. He didn’t get a ton of time at the major league level, but his path to pro baseball showed off some serious athletic versatility. He excelled in several sports during high school and college before signing with Detroit in 1951.

From his early days as a multi-sport standout in Paris, Tennessee, to his short but interesting stint in the big leagues, King’s story really reflects the athletic landscape of that era. He faced the same challenges as a lot of players trying to break through in professional baseball. His time in the minors and eventual appearances with three major league clubs give some insight into the life of a dedicated athlete competing at baseball’s top level in the 1950s.

Early Life and Background

Charles Gilbert “Chick” King was born on November 10, 1930, in Paris, Tennessee. He was the youngest of seven sons in a family that absolutely loved sports.

His athletic talents showed up early at Grove High School. He played multiple sports and earned national recognition as an All-American football player.

Family and Hometown

Charles Gilbert King came into the world in Paris, Tennessee, on November 10, 1930. He grew up as the youngest boy in a family with seven sons.

Paris, Tennessee, was a small town that really encouraged young athletes. The community backed local sports programs, and that support helped shape King’s drive to compete.

His family pushed him to pursue athletics from a pretty young age. With six older brothers, it’s easy to imagine how that fueled his competitive streak.

The King house was always busy with sports and sibling rivalry. Paris stayed his home base for most of his life, and he eventually returned there after his pro baseball days ended.

Grove High School and Multi-Sport Achievements

King went to Grove High School, where he stood out in four sports. He played football, basketball, and baseball, and even competed in track and field.

Football brought him the most attention during high school. As a senior, he received All-American high school football honors. That put him among the nation’s top prep players.

In August 1950, King played in a special All-American high school football game. He made a splash by running 91 yards for a touchdown, showing off his speed and athleticism.

His success across different sports really highlighted his natural athletic talent. Baseball was just one of several games where he excelled. Those experiences built up his coordination and competitive edge.

Origin of the Nickname ‘Chick’

The nickname “Chick” stuck to Charles Gilbert King when he was still a kid. No one really knows exactly where it came from, not even King himself.

Years later, he admitted he didn’t know how he got the nickname. It just stuck, and family and friends started calling him “Chick” instead of Charles.

He carried the nickname through his athletic career and adult life. In baseball circles, everyone knew him as Chick King rather than Charles.

The name showed up on baseball cards, team rosters, and in newspaper stories. It became a big part of his baseball identity.

Collegiate Sports Career

Charles “Chick” King attended Memphis State University, where he played multiple sports before starting his professional baseball career. He played football for the Tigers and became the first Memphis State alumnus to reach Major League Baseball.

Football at Memphis State

King played football at Memphis State University during his college years. He was a multi-sport athlete while earning his degree in Tennessee.

The football program at Memphis State gave King valuable athletic experience. That helped him develop physical skills and a competitive mindset, which later paid off in pro baseball.

Football kept King in great shape during the off-season. The sport built his strength and speed, and those abilities carried over to his baseball performance.

Multi-Sport Involvement in College

King played both football and baseball at Memphis State. Back in the 1940s and early 1950s, that was pretty common for talented athletes.

His baseball skills stood out the most. Scouts took notice of his performance on the diamond, and the Detroit Tigers eventually signed him as an amateur free agent.

He managed to balance sports and academics as a college athlete. That kind of schedule probably helped him deal with the demands of professional baseball later.

The multi-sport experience gave him a range of athletic skills. He developed better hand-eye coordination and quick reaction time, which made him a more complete player.

Recruitment and NCAA Eligibility Issues

Memphis State recruited King based on his high school athletic performance at Grove High School in Paris, Tennessee. He was one of seven sons and already showed a lot of natural ability.

The university liked his potential in more than one sport. King’s versatility made him a strong recruit for their athletic department. At 6’2″ and 190 pounds, he fit right in for both football and baseball.

King kept his NCAA eligibility throughout college, so he could play both sports without any issues. He stayed an amateur until he signed with the Detroit Tigers.

He finished his education while getting ready for pro baseball. Memphis State later recognized him as their first graduate to reach the major leagues.

Path to Major League Baseball

Charles Gilbert King’s road to the majors started in the early 1950s when the Detroit Tigers saw his athletic potential. He developed through the minor league system and made his debut at age 23.

Signing with Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers signed Chick King in the early 1950s after seeing his talent at Grove High School in Paris, Tennessee. King had made a name for himself in football, basketball, baseball, and track.

Tigers scouts liked his versatility and athleticism. At 6’2″ and 190 pounds, the outfielder from rural Tennessee stood out.

He was the youngest of seven sons. His athletic gifts made him a standout in Henry County sports.

The Tigers believed in King’s potential to become a major league player. Signing with Detroit kicked off a pro baseball career that lasted through the 1950s.

Minor League Development

King spent several years honing his skills in the Detroit Tigers’ minor league system. Coaches focused on improving his batting and outfield play.

He played at different levels in the Tigers’ farm system. Wichita was one of the stops where he worked on his game as a pro ballplayer.

He worked to raise his batting average and adjust to better pitching. King also practiced his defense in center and left field.

The minors taught him the mental side of pro baseball. He learned how to handle the pressure of performing at each level.

Transition to Major Leagues

King made his major league debut on August 27, 1954, with the Detroit Tigers at age 23. In his first game against the New York Yankees, he got one hit in four at-bats.

The jump to the majors wasn’t easy. King faced some of the best pitchers in baseball. That first season, he played in 11 games for Detroit, batting .214 with six hits in 28 at-bats.

The Tigers promoted him after his time in the minors, believing he was ready to help at the big league level.

Early on, King mostly played as an outfielder and pinch hitter. The team used him in different spots to give him experience against major league pitching.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Chick King played five seasons in the majors from 1954 to 1959, suiting up for three different teams. The outfielder put together a .237 batting average over 44 games, splitting time with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Detroit Tigers Tenure

King started his major league career with the Detroit Tigers on August 27, 1954, at age 23. He debuted against the New York Yankees, picking up one hit in four at-bats. He spent three seasons with Detroit from 1954 to 1956.

His best year with the Tigers came in 1954, when he played in 11 games. King hit .214 with six hits in 28 at-bats. He scored four runs and drove in three RBIs as a rookie.

In 1955, King saw limited action. He played seven games, got five hits in 21 at-bats for a .238 average. In 1956, his playing time dropped again, and he only appeared in six games.

Detroit Tigers Statistics:

• Games: 24
• Batting Average: .224
• Hits: 13 in 58 at-bats
• RBIs: 3

Chicago Cubs Period

After a year away from the majors, King came back in 1958 with the Chicago Cubs. His time with Chicago was short, but he did show better plate discipline. In eight games, he posted a .455 on-base percentage, the best of his career.

He played in seven games for the Cubs in 1959, but things didn’t go well. He didn’t get a hit in three at-bats, ending up with a .000 batting average before the team traded him.

King struggled to find consistent playing time in Chicago. Even with some flashes of potential, he mostly filled in as a bench player and pinch hitter during his Cubs days.

St. Louis Cardinals Experience

King wrapped up his major league career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959. His last stop turned out to be his most productive, at least in a small sample. He played five games for St. Louis and picked up three hits in seven at-bats.

He hit .429 with the Cardinals, his best average with any team. King drove in one RBI and kept a .375 on-base percentage during that short stretch.

His last big league appearance came on May 30, 1959, with the Cardinals. The stint in St. Louis lasted less than two months, but it was a strong finish to his pro career.

Even though it was a small sample, King showed he could contribute when the Cardinals gave him a shot.

Career Statistics and Playing Style

Chick King’s five-year Major League Baseball career from 1954 to 1959 came with limited playing time and modest offense. He finished with a .237 batting average and a .306 on-base percentage, numbers that show the challenge of trying to break through as a part-time player.

Career Batting Average and On-Base Percentage

King ended up with a .237 batting average over 76 at-bats, playing in just 45 games across five seasons. His on-base percentage of .306 was a bit better than his average, showing he had some patience at the plate despite limited chances.

His best season came in 1958 with the Chicago Cubs. He hit .250 with a very solid .455 on-base percentage in eight games. That year, he showed he could work the count and draw walks when he got the opportunity.

The 1959 season was up and down for King. He struggled with the Cubs, going hitless in three at-bats. But after joining the St. Louis Cardinals, he bounced back and hit .429 in five games.

Looking at his career totals, King collected 18 hits, five RBIs, and scored 11 runs. He only had one extra-base hit—a triple—during his entire big league career. With 18 strikeouts and eight walks, King faced the same hurdles that many part-time players run into when trying to make solid contact.

Defensive Skills and Outfield Performance

King mostly played center field and left field during his major league career. If you look at his defensive statistics, you’ll notice mixed results. He posted a .947 career fielding percentage, which fell below average for outfielders back then.

In center field, King played 18 games and managed a .974 fielding percentage. He recorded 36 putouts, picked up one assist, and committed just one error. His range factor landed at 3.00, which felt pretty decent for the spot.

Left field didn’t go as smoothly for him. King appeared in 11 games there and ended up with a .895 fielding percentage. Out of 17 total chances, he committed two errors. That does suggest he struggled a bit more in left.

He had his best defensive season in 1958 with the Cubs, and during his short time with the Cardinals in 1959. King played errorless ball in center field during those games, showing he’d become more reliable near the end.

Game Appearances and Key Highlights

King hardly got much playing time during his career. He never played more than 11 games in a single season. He made his debut on August 27, 1954, with the Detroit Tigers at 23.

The Tigers gave King his biggest shot from 1954 to 1956. Over those three seasons, he played in 25 games, mostly as a backup outfielder. In his rookie year, he managed six hits in 28 at-bats. Not bad for a start.

After missing the 1957 season, King came back with the Chicago Cubs in 1958. Even with limited chances at the plate, he showed better discipline and drew three walks in eight plate appearances.

He wrapped up his major league career in 1959, splitting time between the Cubs and Cardinals. King played his last game on May 30, 1959. That ended a career that stretched across parts of five seasons and three teams.

Later Life, Legacy, and Recognition

When King retired from pro baseball in 1961, he headed back to his hometown of Paris, Tennessee. Folks there saw him as a local sports figure. His impact on Tennessee baseball didn’t go unnoticed, and people recognized him as the most prominent baseball player from Henry County. Eventually, he joined the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame.

Post-Retirement Activities

King stayed close to his Tennessee roots after baseball. He settled down in Paris, Tennessee, and lived there for the rest of his days.

He kept in touch with the local community for decades after retiring. King passed away on July 9, 2012, at 81, in his hometown.

His professional career ran for 11 seasons, from 1951 to 1961. That included his major league years with Detroit, Chicago, and St. Louis, plus a long minor league run.

King ended his minor league career with some solid stats. He hit .280 and racked up 101 home runs over 1,415 games.

Influence on Tennessee Sports

People in Henry County still see King as their top sports hero. Local sports historians often call him the most notable baseball player ever from the county.

His time in the majors inspired plenty of young athletes in the area. King’s journey from small-town Tennessee all the way to the big leagues showed local kids what they could dream of.

When he debuted with Detroit in 1954, King really set a milestone for Tennessee sports. That moment mattered, especially for regional sports fans.

King’s career put Paris, Tennessee, on the baseball map. Not many players from there reached his level in the majors.

Recognition from The Sporting News and Other Sources

In 1994, King received his biggest honor—he became one of the first five inductees into the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame. The hall had only been around for six years at that point.

The local sports hall of fame specifically named him as Henry County’s top baseball talent. They honored both his professional accomplishments and the way he influenced the community.

King’s legacy goes way beyond stats and trophies. He brought small-town Tennessee baseball to the highest professional stage back in the 1950s.

Most of his recognition came from local and regional sources, not the big national outlets. Still, his impact on Tennessee baseball stuck with people for years.