Chris Chambliss

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Chris Chambliss, born December 26, 1948, in Dayton, Ohio, is a former American baseball player and coach. He was a first baseman who batted left and threw right, and he played in Major League Baseball from 1971 to 1988 for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves. His career totals include a .279 batting average, 2,109 hits, 185 home runs, and 972 RBIs.

Chambliss won the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 1971 with the Indians and was an All-Star in 1976 with the Yankees. He is best remembered for a dramatic walk-off home run in Game 5 of the 1976 ALCS against the Kansas City Royals, which sent the Yankees to the World Series, where they won in 1977 and 1978. He earned a Gold Glove in 1978.

After his playing days, Chambliss coached for several teams, including the Yankees, Cardinals, Mets, Reds and Mariners, and managed in the minor leagues. His London Tigers won the Eastern League title in 1990, and he was named Minor League Manager of the Year. He was part of the Yankees’ championship era as a hitting coach in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Chambliss’ legacy includes being a clutch hitter and a longtime coach who helped multiple teams win championships. He is related to former NBA player Jo Jo White.