Chuck Lindstrom
Charles William Lindstrom (September 7, 1936 - September 29, 2021) was a former Major League Baseball catcher who played briefly for the Chicago White Sox during the 1958 season. He is also the son of Baseball Hall of Famer Freddie Lindstrom.
| Chuck Lindstrom | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: September 7, 1936 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| Died: September 29, 2021 (aged 85) | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 28, 1958, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 28, 1958, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | 1.000 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 1 |
| Teams | |
A catcher standing 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), 175 pounds (79 kg), batting and throwing right-handed, Lindstrom was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent on June 17, 1957. Fifteen months later, he was in the Major Leagues, coming into the fifth inning of a game September 28, 1958 versus the Kansas City Athletics as a defensive replacement for Johnny Romano. The first pitch from pitcher Hal Trosky was fumbled by Lindstrom as a passed ball, but he settled down and did not make another error.[1]
In his first at bat in the bottom of the sixth inning, Lindstrom led off with a walk, scoring on a double by Don Mueller. Then, in the bottom of the seventh, he tripled, driving in Johnny Callison with another run. He was on deck for a third plate appearance when Sammy Esposito struck out looking to end the White Sox' last offensive inning in a game they won 11-4. This would be Lindstrom's only Major League game, as he was sent down to the minor leagues the following season, never returning to the Major Leagues.
Lindstrom is one of only four players to hit a triple in their one and only MLB at bat, the others being Eduardo RodrÃguez (1973), Scott Munninghoff (1980), and Eric Cammack (2000). And with a triple, a walk, a run, and a run batted in during two plate appearances, Lindstrom had one of the best one-game careers in the history of baseball, along with John Paciorek.
Lindstrom retired shortly thereafter and went on to a successful 23-year coaching career with Lincoln College, highlighted by a 29-10 record in 1972 and five successive years of 20-win seasons starting with 1972.
Lindstrom died on September 29, 2021, at the age of 85.
References
- Rose, George (2004). One Hit Wonders: Baseball Stories. United States: Excel/Kaleidoscope. p. 212. ISBN 9780595318070.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
- Merron, Jeff, "The List: Baseball's one-hit wonders", ESPN.com
- Lincoln College Athletics: Historical Coaching Records