William Benjamin Chapman (December 25, 1908 - July 7, 1993) was the very first American League batter in the inaugural 1933 All-Star game. Ben Chapman was a speedy, fiery player on a Yankee team built around power with teammates such as Ruth, Gehrig, Dickey and DiMaggio. He led the American League in stolen bases four times, was a four-time All-Star selection and led the league once in triples (1934). Chapman played 15 seasons, primarily with the Yankees (1930-1936) and was a member of the 1932 World Series championship team. After bouncing around the AL for a few seasons, Ben spent some time in the minor leagues and the military during World War II before returning to the big leagues as a pitcher with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ben Chapman retired having posted a career .302 batting average, with 1,958 hits, 407 doubles, 107 triples, 1,144 runs, 287 stolen bases and 977 RBI. Chapman posted an 8-6 record for the Dodgers and Phillies in his final playing years. Chapman is often remembered for his racial objections to the inclusion of Jackie Robinson in baseball when he was manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. His racial slurs and baiting caused a backlash of bad publicity and actually boosted Robinson’s cause as teammates and many others stood behind the embattled Dodger first baseman. Chapman retired with a 196-276 record in four years as manager of the Phillies.
