Chuck Taylor – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Chuck Taylor isn’t the guy whose name you see on sneakers, but if you know baseball, you probably remember him as a steady relief pitcher from the 1970s. Born Charles Gilbert Taylor in Shelbyville, Tennessee, he pitched right-handed and spent seven seasons in Major League Baseball before finally hanging up his cleats in 1976.

Taylor put together a solid 28-20 record with a 3.07 earned run average over 305 games, pitching for four teams: the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, and Montreal Expos. His rise from a small-town Tennessee kid to the big leagues really shows the grit and determination it takes to make it in baseball.

Chuck Taylor’s story goes way beyond just stats. It’s about climbing through the minor leagues, adapting to different roles as a reliever, and leaving a mark on his hometown and college. His journey gives you a peek into what life was like for a journeyman pitcher while baseball was starting to change into the modern era.

Early Life and Education

Chuck Taylor was born on April 18, 1942, in Shelbyville, Tennessee, right in the middle of World War II.

He started his baseball journey at Middle Tennessee State University, picking up the skills that would carry him through eight seasons in the major leagues.

Family Background in Shelbyville

Charles Gilbert Taylor grew up as the son of Robert and Mable Prince Taylor in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

The Taylor family was pretty close, with siblings Don, Frank, John Thomas, Sarah, Russell, and Betty Jane.

Chuck spent his childhood in the Bedford/Rutherford County area, where he developed into a standout athlete.

At 6 feet 2 inches tall, he definitely had a presence on the baseball diamond. That height, combined with his athleticism, made him stand out from the crowd.

His family always encouraged his baseball dreams. They played a big role in supporting him as he moved through his early playing days in Tennessee.

That encouragement from home really mattered as he moved from amateur ball to signing with the pros.

Attending Middle Tennessee State University

After graduating from Bell Buckle High School in Wartrace in 1960, Chuck headed to Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

His time at the university shaped both his baseball and academic life.

At Middle Tennessee State, Taylor became a standout right-handed pitcher and batter in the late 1960s.

He ended up as one of the most successful athletes in MTSU’s history. Scouts started to take notice when he pitched for the Blue Raiders.

Taylor was only the second MTSU baseball player after Jim Cosman to reach the Major Leagues. His college achievements made him a player worth watching.

The university’s baseball program gave him the platform to show off his talent to scouts from the majors.

Early Baseball Experiences

Chuck Taylor’s high school baseball days at Bell Buckle High School were impressive. He once struck out Christiana High’s top batter four times in a single game.

That kind of performance really showed off his control and pitching skill.

His high school success led Middle Tennessee State University to recruit him. During college, Taylor sharpened his pitching and became the kind of player teams wanted in the bullpen.

The St. Louis Cardinals liked what they saw and signed him as an amateur free agent in 1961.

That signing kicked off his pro baseball journey. After several years in the minors, he finally made his major league debut on May 27, 1969, at age 27.

Minor League Journey

Taylor’s road to the majors wound through several organizations and a few trades. He spent a lot of time working on his game in the Cardinals system, had a quick stop with Houston, and turned in his best minor league performances with Arkansas and Tulsa.

St. Louis Cardinals Minor League System

The Cardinals picked up Taylor in 1961 after his college days. For three years, from 1961 to 1963, he worked his way through their minor league teams.

During this time, Taylor pitched as both a starter and a reliever. He made steady progress, though nothing that pushed him straight into the majors.

The Cardinals kept him around for several seasons, seeing enough promise to be patient. Still, his rise was more slow and steady than spectacular.

Houston Colt .45s and Trades

On February 17, 1964, the Cardinals traded Taylor and Jim Beauchamp to the Houston Colt .45s for outfielder Carl Warwick.

This was Taylor’s first time outside the Cardinals’ system.

He spent only one full season in Houston’s farm system in 1964. That brief stint gave him a taste of a new baseball environment.

By mid-1965, Houston traded Taylor back to St. Louis. The deal sent Taylor and former All-Star Hal Woodeshick to the Cardinals for future All-Star Mike Cuellar and pitcher Ron Taylor.

Key Performances with Arkansas Travelers and Tulsa Oilers

Taylor’s best minor league season came with the Arkansas Travelers in 1966. He posted a fantastic 1.31 ERA in 30 games.

That same year, though, he really struggled with the Tulsa Oilers, where he had a tough 6.48 ERA in 21 games.

Then, in 1968, everything clicked for Taylor in Tulsa. He mostly started games, appearing in 34 and pitching 230 innings.

That year, Taylor went 18-7 with a 2.35 ERA, giving up just 202 hits and walking only 38 batters. At 26, he finally did enough to earn a spot on the Cardinals’ major league roster for 1969.

Major League Baseball Career

From 1969 to 1976, Chuck Taylor pitched in the majors, putting together a 28-20 record with a 3.07 ERA in 305 games.

He started out with the St. Louis Cardinals, then played for the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, and Montreal Expos during his eight-year career.

Debut with St. Louis Cardinals

Taylor made his big league debut on May 27, 1969, for the St. Louis Cardinals at age 27. He came in as a reliever, replacing Ray Washburn against the Atlanta Braves.

He gave up the winning run in his first MLB game, which had to sting.

Even with that tough start, Taylor showed potential as a rookie. The Cardinals used him both as a starter and reliever in 1969.

1969 Season Stats:

• 27 games (13 starts)
• 7-5 record
• 2.56 ERA

That ERA was a full point below the league average. Taylor kept pitching well in 1970 and 1971, mostly out of the bullpen.

The Cardinals leaned on him almost entirely as a reliever those years. He posted ERAs of 3.11 in 1970 and 3.53 in 1971, showing he could be counted on in relief.

Trade to New York Mets

On October 18, 1971, the Cardinals traded Taylor, Jim Beauchamp, Harry Parker, and Chip Coulter to the New York Mets. In return, the Mets sent Art Shamsky, Jim Bibby, Rich Folkers, and Charlie Hudson to St. Louis.

The 1972 season was rough for Taylor with the Mets. He struggled, posting a 5.52 ERA in limited action.

He spent a lot of that year in the minors, where he had a 4.70 ERA in 26 games. Taylor just couldn’t seem to recapture his earlier form.

Stint with Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers picked Taylor up off waivers in September 1972. This gave him a chance to reset.

Taylor’s short stint with the Brewers went surprisingly well. He threw just 11 innings but managed a sharp 1.54 ERA, which pulled his overall 1972 ERA down to 4.43.

Still, he didn’t stick around long. The Brewers released him in March 1973, cutting his time with the club short.

Final MLB Years with Montreal Expos

The Montreal Expos signed Taylor just weeks after Milwaukee let him go in March 1973. This turned out to be the best chapter of his major league career.

Taylor’s first season with Montreal was short but effective. He appeared in only eight games, but his 1.77 ERA was impressive.

1974 was Taylor’s peak. He pitched in 61 games as a reliever, posting a 2.17 ERA in 107⅔ innings. He finished among the National League leaders:

• 9th in appearances (61 games)
• 5th in saves (11)
• 6th in games finished (39)

Taylor’s last two seasons weren’t as strong. He had ERAs of 3.53 in 1975 and 4.50 in 1976.

He made his final MLB appearance on October 3, 1976, facing the Chicago Cubs.

Pitching Roles and Highlights

Chuck Taylor showed he could handle both starting and relief roles throughout his career. His best years came out of the bullpen, especially during his 1974 run with Montreal, where he put up career numbers in saves and games finished.

Starter and Reliever Responsibilities

Taylor kicked off his major league career in 1969, splitting time as a starter and reliever for the St. Louis Cardinals. That year, he started 13 of 27 games, finishing with a 7-5 record and a 2.56 ERA.

For his first three seasons, the Cardinals used him in both roles. By 1970 and 1971, he shifted mostly to relief work, which became his main job for the rest of his career.

After joining the Montreal Expos in 1973, Taylor really found his groove as a full-time reliever.

Being able to bounce between roles made Taylor a handy guy to have on the roster. Teams could call on him for a spot start or for steady relief appearances.

Statistical Achievements and ERA

Taylor ended his career with a 3.07 ERA over 305 games, which speaks to his solid performance across eight seasons. His top year was 1974, when he posted a 2.17 ERA in 107⅔ innings for Montreal.

He struck out 282 batters and walked 162 in 607 innings. That kind of control helped him keep hitters off balance.

Taylor’s ERA was above league average in just two seasons, 1972 and 1976. The 1972 season was especially tough, with him bouncing between the majors and minors.

Career Pitching Statistics:

• Win-Loss Record: 28-20
• ERA: 3.07
• Strikeouts: 282
• Innings Pitched: 607

Notable Save and Game Finished Records

Taylor’s best relief stats came in 1974 with Montreal. He notched 11 saves and finished 39 games, ranking fifth in the National League for saves.

His 61 relief appearances that year put him ninth in the league for games pitched. That kind of workload says a lot about his durability and the trust his team had in him.

Over his eight seasons, Taylor picked up 31 career saves. Finishing 39 games in 1974 was good for sixth in the National League, showing he often closed things out.

That 1974 season was definitely the high point of his relief career. The saves, games finished, and low ERA all came together for him that year.

Legacy, Honors, and Post-Retirement

Chuck Taylor left his mark on both college and pro baseball through his achievements and the work he did after playing. His contributions to Middle Tennessee State University and his community helped define his life after baseball.

Impact at Middle Tennessee State

Chuck Taylor stood out as just the second player from Middle Tennessee State University to make it to Major League Baseball. That milestone really set him apart as a trailblazer for the Blue Raiders baseball program.

His success opened doors for future MTSU players. The university honored Taylor by naming the players’ locker room and clubhouse the “Chuck Taylor Locker Room.”

Taylor joined the Blue Raider Hall of Fame, which celebrated what he accomplished in college and as a pro. That recognition meant a lot to him and the program.

After retirement, Taylor stayed involved with MTSU baseball. He worked with pitchers and taught players on his own time, passing along his Major League experience to young athletes.

Taylor and his wife Joyce raised significant funds for the MTSU baseball program. Their efforts improved facilities and supported future players. The couple didn’t just give money—they mentored players hands-on, too.

Recognition in Professional Baseball

Taylor’s stats show how reliable he was as a relief pitcher. He put up a 28-20 career record with a 3.07 ERA, which is pretty solid over seven seasons.

He pitched in 305 Major League games between 1969 and 1976. Taylor tallied 31 saves and struck out 282 batters in 607 innings.

He peaked in 1974, putting together his best season. Only in 1972 and 1976 did his ERA go above the league average.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Taylor as an amateur free agent in 1961. He made his pro debut on May 27, 1969, at age 27. During his career, Taylor played for the Cardinals, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, and Montreal Expos.

Life After Baseball

Taylor moved back to Murfreesboro after his playing days. He and Joyce ran a Western Auto/Ace Hardware Store in Smyrna for a decade.

They started the Chuck Taylor Golf Tournament as an annual fundraiser, and that event still provides scholarships for MTSU student-athletes.

Taylor spent a lot of time at Stones River Country Club, golfing whenever he could. Folks in the community saw him as a friendly guy who was always ready to help.

Health challenges affected Taylor’s later years. He had a heart attack in 1991 and struggled with knee injuries from baseball. Those issues caused him pain, but he kept giving back to the community.

Taylor passed away on June 5, 2018, at age 76 in Murfreesboro. His Celebration of Life happened at Stones River Country Club, where he’d spent so many hours on the course.

Personal Life and Connections

Chuck Taylor built real friendships with teammates throughout his career and kept giving back to his Tennessee community. His connections reached beyond the baseball field into charitable work and mentoring future players.

Friendships and Teammate Relationships

Taylor formed close bonds with fellow pitchers during his seven years in the Majors. He worked alongside veteran relievers like Ron Taylor with the New York Mets in 1972, picking up tips from the pros who helped shape his approach.

The Missouri native made lasting friendships with teammates on four different teams. His time with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1969 to 1971 really set the foundation for his pro career.

Taylor’s 6-foot-2 frame and easygoing personality made him a respected presence in the clubhouse. Players noticed his work ethic and how he looked out for younger pitchers.

Even after retirement, Taylor kept those professional relationships going. Many former teammates stayed in touch as he settled into life in Murfreesboro.

Contributions Beyond the Field

After retiring, Taylor went back to his alma mater, MTSU, and spent time coaching pitchers as a volunteer. The university showed their appreciation by naming the players’ locker room the “Chuck Taylor Locker Room.”

Taylor and his wife Joyce ran a Western Auto/Ace Hardware Store in Smyrna for about a decade. They also put a lot of effort into raising money for MTSU baseball, organizing different fundraising events over the years.

He started the annual Chuck Taylor Golf Tournament, which still gives out scholarships to MTSU student-athletes. The Blue Raider Hall of Fame inducted him to recognize everything he’d done.

Taylor got involved in the community in a bunch of ways, like regularly showing up at Stones River Country Club. People around Murfreesboro knew him for helping out when someone needed it and for staying active in the area right up until he passed away in 2018.