1976 Topps #259 - Darrel Chaney

• Darrel Chaney was a utility infielder for the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves from 1969-1979. Chaney was drafted by the Reds in 1966. He had seasons of .206, .189, and .231 in his first three years in the minors, but he managed to be brought up to the Reds at the age of 21 in 1969. Darrel split time at shortstop with Woody Woodward and batted .191 in 93 games (209 AB).

• Chaney played a lot less in 1970 (Dave Concepcion's rookie year) -- he batted .232 in 95 at bats in a utility role. In 1971 Darrell was at AAA Indianapolis and batted .277 in 120 games. He came back to Cincinnati in September and batted .125 in 24 at bats.

• Darrel's best year with the Reds was in 1972. He batted .250 in 196 AB and had a .345 on base percentage. Chaney started all five games of the National League Championship Series at shortstop (.188 in 16 AB) and played in four games in the World Series (.000 in 7 at bats).

• From 1973-1975 Chaney continued his role as a backup infielder. He had batting averages of .181 (1973), .200 (1974), and .219 (1975). Darrel appeared in five games in the 1973 NLCS and was hitless in nine at bats. He wasn't used in the 1975 NLCS and he was hitless in two at bats in the 1975 World Series (at least he got a ring).

• After the 1975 season Chaney was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Mike Lum. He was given the starting shortstop job and batted .252 in 153 games. He returned to a utility role in 1977 and continued in that role until his release after batting .162 in 1979. He batted about 100-200 times a year and had batting averages in the lower .200s in '77 and '78.

• According to his wikipedia entry, Chaney is currently He is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Major League Alumni Marketing (MLAM) and a Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing at a retail services organization. He also has done some broadcasting for the Atlanta Braves. He is also a religious man.
  
  
• Liked to face: Bob Forsch (.381 in 21 AB); Gaylord Perry (.500 in 20 AB); Rick Reuschel (.296 in 27 AB)

• Hated to face: Don Sutton (.100 in 40 AB); Tom Seaver (.167 with 15 strikeouts in 30 AB); Jerry Reuss (.077 in 26 AB)