Kelvin Chapman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Kelvin Chapman’s professional baseball career really gives you a sense of the challenges faced by so many talented players trying to make it in Major League Baseball. Born June 2, 1956, in Willits, California, Chapman played his entire MLB career with the New York Mets from 1979 to 1985, mostly as a second baseman.

His journey from amateur free agent to major leaguer shows both the promise and the struggles that defined a lot of baseball careers in the tough 1980s era. Chapman put up a career batting average of .223, with 3 home runs and 34 RBIs over 172 games. He had solid defensive skills, but he just couldn’t seem to find steady offensive success at the highest level.

One of his biggest moments came in 1984 when he hit a grand slam against the San Francisco Giants, helping the Mets win 11-6 at Shea Stadium. That game really showed off his potential during what ended up being his best season.

Chapman’s decade in professional baseball goes way beyond the stats. It shows the grit you need to compete at the top level. From his early days in the minors to his post-baseball life in California, Chapman’s story gives you a look at what it’s like to be a journeyman player who still manages to make a difference for his team, even when things get tough at the plate.

Kelvin Chapman’s Baseball Career Overview

Chapman played pro ball for nearly ten years, spending parts of three seasons with the Mets between 1979 and 1985. His career path was pretty unusual—he got promoted straight to the majors, then spent years in the minors before returning to help out the Mets’ competitive teams in the mid-80s.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Chapman made his MLB debut on April 5, 1979, with the Mets at just 22 years old. He won the starting second base job in spring training, skipping Triple-A completely.

Manager Joe Torre gave Chapman the shot to replace Doug Flynn at second base. The Mets hoped Chapman would bring more offense than Flynn while keeping the defense steady.

Chapman’s 1979 Performance:

• Games played: 35
• Batting average: .150
• At-bats: 80

The experiment lasted only 35 games. Chapman had a tough time at the plate, hitting just .150 in limited chances.

Doug Flynn took back the starting job and even won a Gold Glove that year. Chapman’s short debut really showed how hard it is to jump straight from Double-A to the majors.

After that rough rookie season, Chapman went back to the minors. He spent the next four years mostly with the Tidewater Tides, the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate.

Return to MLB and Final Seasons

Chapman made it back to the Mets in 1984 after playing well at Tidewater. Manager Davey Johnson brought him up to share second base with Wally Backman.

His 1984 season turned out to be his best in the majors. Chapman hit .289 in 197 at-bats and came through in some big moments.

Notable 1984 moments included:

• A two-run single during a July 6th doubleheader sweep against Cincinnati
• Two RBIs in a 9-8 win over St. Louis on July 24th
• A grand slam off Mark Davis on August 26th in an 11-6 victory over San Francisco

Chapman put up a .979 fielding percentage at second base in 1984. He helped turn 32 double plays and added 23 RBIs and 13 doubles.

That performance got him a spot on the 1985 roster. Chapman kept platooning with Backman as the Mets chased a championship.

Retirement in 1985

Chapman started his final season with some hope, but it ended up being his last in the majors. He played in 62 games, but his batting average dropped to .174 by July.

The Mets sent him back to Tidewater in 1985, and he never made it back to the big leagues. The team released him at the end of the season.

His last MLB game was July 24, 1985.

Career totals:

• Games: 172
• Batting average: .223
• Home runs: 3
• RBIs: 34
• Fielding percentage: .954

After retiring, Chapman ran a sporting goods store and batting range in Ukiah, California. He later coached baseball at Mendocino College in Willits, his hometown.

Minor League Development and Progression

Chapman’s minor league career lasted nine seasons, from 1976 to 1985. He put up a .260 average with 39 home runs and 281 RBIs in 837 games. He played at multiple levels in the Mets organization, including the Marion Mets, Wausau Mets, Jackson Mets, Tidewater Tides, and Syracuse Chiefs.

Early Teams and Promotions

Chapman started out in 1976 with the Marion Mets after the Mets drafted him. Marion was his first taste of pro baseball.

He moved up through the system, including a stint with the Wausau Mets, where he kept working on his skills as a middle infielder. Chapman mostly played second and third base in those early years.

He batted and threw right-handed, stood 5’11”, and weighed 173 pounds. Before turning pro, he attended Santa Rosa Junior College.

Those early minor league seasons set him up for his big league debut with the Mets in 1979.

Performance in Wausau Mets and Jackson Mets

With the Wausau Mets, Chapman got valuable experience in the MIDW (Midwest League). That level gave him a chance to sharpen his approach at the plate and improve his defense.

His time with the Jackson Mets was another step up. Jackson played in the TEX (Texas League), a Double-A level with tougher competition.

Chapman’s ability to handle multiple infield spots made him a good asset. He handled both second and third base pretty well.

During these years, Chapman improved his offense little by little. His batting average and power numbers went up as he adjusted to tougher pitching.

Key Seasons with Tidewater Tides and Syracuse Chiefs

The Tidewater Tides gave Chapman his first shot at Triple-A in the IL (International League). Triple-A was the last stop before the majors.

Chapman’s play at Tidewater got him called up to the majors in 1979. The Tides had a lot of players close to making the Mets roster.

Later, Chapman played for the Syracuse Chiefs, another AAA team. These stints helped him keep his skills sharp while fighting for a spot in the big leagues.

The Chiefs gave him steady playing time when he wasn’t with the Mets. Chapman’s veteran presence also helped younger players develop.

His minor league stats showed he was a steady, reliable player. He could fill in at several positions and contribute during his nine-year climb through the minors.

Playing Style and On-Field Positions

Kelvin Chapman made his name as a defensive specialist who mostly played second base for the Mets. His job shifted from failed starter to platoon player sharing time with Wally Backman in the mid-80s.

Second Base Role and Skills

Chapman’s main position was second base, and he always showed solid defensive skills. Even in the minors, people noticed his “good glove” when he played A-ball at Wausau in 1977.

In his best year, 1984, Chapman posted a .979 fielding percentage at second base over 57 games. That matched the league average for the spot.

He turned 32 double plays in 1984. Chapman’s glove work was his best asset, and it helped him skip Triple-A to win the Opening Day job in 1979.

The Mets always valued Chapman’s defensive reliability more than his bat. Both Joe Torre and Davey Johnson used him to shore up the infield defense.

Platooning with Wally Backman

Chapman’s biggest role came in 1984, when manager Davey Johnson set up a platoon at second base. Chapman became the right-handed complement to Wally Backman, giving the Mets a bit of a strategic edge based on who was pitching.

This setup let the Mets get the most out of their offense and defense. Chapman played in 69 games in 1984, a career high, splitting time with Backman.

The platoon kept going in 1985, but Chapman’s numbers dropped a lot. His batting average fell to .174 in 62 games before the Mets sent him to Triple-A Tidewater in July.

Chapman’s role as a platoon player showed how much the Mets valued his defense, not his bat. The system really worked in 1984, when Chapman hit .289 in 197 at-bats.

Additional Positions Played

Second base was his main spot, but Chapman could also play third base in the majors. He played three games at third for the Mets in 1984.

That flexibility made Chapman more valuable as a bench guy and a platoon option. Manager Davey Johnson could move him around as needed.

Chapman also pinch hit when called on, usually when the Mets needed a right-handed bat. His last big league appearance was as a pinch hitter on July 24, 1985, against the Reds.

His career fielding percentage of .954 across all positions showed he was a steady defender, mostly at second base.

Statistical Achievements and Career Highlights

Kelvin Chapman played three seasons in the majors for the Mets and finished with a .223 batting average over 172 games. His 1984 season was definitely his high point. His career totals included 94 hits in 421 at-bats, 13 stolen bases, and strong defensive play at second.

Batting Records and Key Seasons

Chapman’s 1984 season really stands out. He hit .289 in 75 games with 197 at-bats, which was a huge leap from his rough rookie year.

In that first season, Chapman really struggled at the plate. He managed just 12 hits in 80 at-bats, a .150 average, which sent him back to the minors.

His final season in 1985 saw his numbers dip again. Chapman hit .174 in 62 games, and after that, the Mets let him go in November 1985.

Career Batting Statistics:

• Total Games: 172
• At Bats: 421
• Hits: 94
• Career Average: .223
• Home Runs: 3
• RBIs: 34

Stolen Bases and Fielding Metrics

Chapman showed decent speed on the bases. He swiped 13 bases and got caught 11 times. His best year running was 1984, when he stole 8 bases.

He played mostly second base, both as a starter and a utility guy. Chapman also pinch hit when the Mets needed him.

The 1984 season really was his most complete. He hit well and stole 8 bases in 7 tries, earning his most playing time that year.

Notable At Bats and Hits

Chapman had some memorable moments at the plate, even though his overall numbers weren’t great. In 1984, he hit 13 doubles, his best for power. He got 57 hits that year, more than half his career total.

He hit three homers in his career, with two coming during his strong 1984 season. The third came in 1985.

Chapman made better contact in 1984, striking out just 30 times in 197 at-bats. That was a big improvement in discipline compared to his other seasons.

His final at-bat came on July 24, 1985, wrapping up a ten-year pro career that started in the Mets’ minor leagues back in 1976.

Personal Life and Legacy

Kelvin Chapman’s journey from a multi-sport kid in Northern California to a Major League Baseball player for the New York Mets really shows what personal determination can do. After baseball, he stayed close to his community and the sport that shaped him.

Early Life and Entry into Baseball

Kelvin Keith Chapman was born on June 2, 1956, in Willits, California. He grew up in Ukiah, where he stood out as an athlete at Ukiah High School.

During high school, Chapman played football, basketball, and baseball. He actually liked basketball best, even though baseball ended up being his career.

After graduating in 1974, Chapman went to Santa Rosa Junior College. That’s where pro scouts noticed his baseball skills.

A Major League Baseball scout watched him at the junior college and liked what he saw. By the end of 1975, the New York Mets signed Chapman as an undrafted free agent.

That moment kicked off his professional baseball journey. Moving from small-town athlete to pro prospect was a big deal for him.

Impact on the New York Mets

Chapman made his Major League debut on April 5, 1979, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. His parents were there, and he got two hits in five at-bats as the Mets’ starting second baseman.

His biggest moment with the New York Mets happened in August 1984. Chapman hit a grand slam against the San Francisco Giants at Shea Stadium, helping the Mets win 11-6.

He always remembered that grand slam as one of his proudest moments. Chapman played his last Major League game on July 24, 1985.

At that point, he was batting .174, and the team sent him back to the Tidewater Tides. He struggled in the minors with a .185 average and dealt with a knee injury.

Chapman decided to retire instead of continuing with the organization. The New York Mets released him on November 13, 1985.

His knee injury and his wish to return to California influenced his decision.

Recognition and Memorabilia

After retiring, Chapman stayed close to baseball in his home community. He ran batting cages in Ukiah for several years.

People enjoyed the batting cages, but the business was too seasonal to provide steady income. Chapman later started coaching women’s softball, which he really liked.

He also worked part-time at Mendocino College. At the same time, he managed 30 acres of vineyards in Redwood Valley.

In recent years, Chapman has joined community events that celebrate local baseball history. He showed up at the “Small Town, Big Dreams” event at Anton Stadium in Ukiah, where he signed baseballs and met fans.

Both of his sons, Jason and Brett, became skilled baseball players. Jason got drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, though he didn’t sign.

Brett’s career ended early because of injury. Now, both sons work for the Ukiah Police Department.

Chapman keeps supporting local sports teams and shows how pro athletes can stay connected to their communities after retirement.

Post-Retirement Activities and Net Worth

After his Major League Baseball career ended in 1985, Kelvin Chapman moved into business and coaching roles in California. His post-baseball ventures included running a sporting goods store and later coaching at the college level.

Involvement in Baseball After Playing Career

Chapman stayed involved in baseball after hanging up his cleats. He ran a sporting goods store and batting range in Ukiah, mixing his business interests with his love for the game.

Later, he took a coaching job at Mendocino College in Willits. Coaching let him share what he’d learned in the Majors with young players.

The coaching position kept him close to developing new baseball talent. His experience offered useful insights for college athletes.

Working at a local college also let him stay near his California roots. Chapman’s shift from player to coach is a familiar path for retired baseball pros.

A lot of former players find satisfaction in teaching the next generation.

Estimated Net Worth and Public Perception

Nobody really knows Chapman’s net worth, since he keeps that pretty private. No specific numbers are out there. He played in the MLB from 1979 to 1985, back when salaries for baseball players were way lower than what you see now.

Chapman made his money during those three seasons with the New York Mets, playing in 172 games. Players in that era usually earned tens of thousands, not millions. So, his career earnings probably look modest compared to what today’s athletes bring home.

After baseball, Chapman ran a sporting goods store and took on a coaching job. Those gigs probably helped him stay financially stable, at least according to this article.

Among Mets fans, people still look back fondly on Chapman, especially for what he did in 1984. That grand slam off Mark Davis and some clutch RBIs really stuck with folks who watched that season.

These days, Chapman mostly stays out of the spotlight. He hasn’t jumped into media or broadcasting like some other retired players.