Chuck Stevens

1918 - 2018

Chuck Stevens

Chuck Stevens, family patriarch and oldest living Major League Baseball player, passed away peacefully in his home, attended by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 77 years, Maria; daughter, Randall; and his grandson, Nicholas Augustus Guerra. Chuck is also survived by two more grandsons, Joshua Emmanuel Guerra and Charles Stevens Chamberlain. Chuck passed away just months shy of his 100th birthday.

Born July 10, 1918 in Van Houten, New Mexico, Chuck and his parents, Charles Sr. and Ann, along with siblings Cline, Muriel and Mauverine worked their family ranch in Northern New Mexico. In the early 1920's, the family moved to Long Beach, California. It was here, in the Long Beach recreation leagues that Chuck stood out on the baseball diamond. Chuck enrolled in Long Beach Poly High (Class of '37) and while there, honed his skills, most notably at first base. It was during this time that Chuck first played with or against some of the greats including Bob Sturgeon, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson and his lifelong pal, Bob Lemon. Chuck signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Browns in 1938 and played around the US with their farm system until 1941 when he made it to "The Show", but it was short-lived due to World War II where he served in the Pacific Theatre with the Army Air Force.

After the war, Chuck returned to the Browns and played in the '46 and '48 seasons. He then moved to the Pacific Coast League's Hollywood Stars where he was their first bagger until 1954, winning three championships. Chuck then worked as a player and manager in Texas and Sacramento before retiring in 1958. His was a life colored by personal and historical highlights, meeting Babe Ruth, playing exhibition baseball with Joe DiMaggo, getting the first hit off of Satchel Paige, and appearing in "The Stratton Story" starring Jimmy Stewart and "The Winning Team" starring Ronald Reagan who Chuck would meet again in the Oval Office years later. But it was the next phase of Chuck's career that brought him the most joy.

In 1960 Chuck assumed the role as Secretary of the Association of Professional Ball Players of America until retiring in 1998. The Association produced the Cracker Jack Old Timers Games where Chuck took the playing field with friends and legends Bob Feller, Stan Musial, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Tug McGraw and many others. He led APBPA's mission to assist players and baseball associates who needed help and had nowhere else to turn. Over the 38 years in his position, Chuck and the Association helped thousands of baseball people, as Chuck put it, "live with dignity."

Chuck fully appreciated his great life. He will be missed by Maria, Randy, Tad, Steve, Dayna, Josh, Nick, family, friends and fans. The family thanks Brightstar and Home Care.

Services will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2018, 2:00pm at Forest Lawn, Cypress. Please sign the guestbook at www.presstelegram.com/obits