Neil Chrisley


Barbra O'Neil Chrisley was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played from 1957 to 1961 with the Washington Senators, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Braves. He was tall and weighed, batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was a native of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, where he graduated from high school. He attended Newberry College.

Career

Chrisley was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as a free agent in 1950. On November 8, 1955, he was traded with minor leaguer Al Curtis, Dick Brodowski, Tex Clevenger and Karl Olson to the Senators for Mickey Vernon, Bob Porterfield, Johnny Schmitz and Tom Umphlett.
Chrisley started his major league career at the age of 25 on April 15, 1957 against the Baltimore Orioles as a pinch hitter for Camilo Pascual in the 11th inning. He singled off pitcher Billy Loes, but Pedro Ramos pinch ran for him. Chrisley was mostly used as a pinch hitter and bench player throughout his career, which consisted of 302 games, hitting.210 in 619 career at-bats. He hit 16 home runs, walked 55 times and struck out 62 times. Defensively, he only appeared in three games at positions other than an outfielder. In 1958 he was used in one game as a third baseman, and in 1960 he was used in two games as a second baseman. Chrisley played his final game on September 24, 1961. Following the 1961 season he was sold to the newly-organized New York Mets, but he was returned to the Braves' organization without ever playing for the Mets, although a 1962 Topps baseball card was produced.

Post career

At one point after his retirement from baseball, Chrisley worked as an insurance agent in Greenwood, South Carolina.
In May 2004, Calhoun Falls High School inducted him into their hall of fame. Calhoun Falls Charter School named their baseball field after him. Chrisley played baseball on the same field when he attended the school.

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