Harry Chappas (born May 23, 1957) is an American former professional baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox during the 1978 and 1979 seasons. He is noted for his unusually short stature for a professional athlete, standing 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall, which placed him among the shortest players in MLB history.
Early life and amateur career
Harry Chappas was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Kenwood High School in Chicago, where he excelled as a shortstop and attracted the attention of professional scouts. In the 1975 MLB Draft, the Chicago White Sox selected Chappas in the fourth round (95th overall). He subsequently entered the White Sox minor‑league system, progressing through several farm clubs.
Professional career
Minor leagues
Chappas spent three seasons (1975–1977) in the White Sox minor‑league affiliates, primarily playing shortstop. His defensive abilities and speed were highlighted, though his offensive production was considered modest.
Major leagues
Chappas made his MLB debut on September 4, 1978, with the Chicago White Sox. Over the 1978 and 1979 seasons he appeared in 54 games, all at shortstop. According to publicly available statistics, he recorded a career batting average of .182, hit four home runs, and drove in 15 runs. His height attracted media attention, and he was occasionally referenced in discussion of the league’s shortest players.
Chappas’ MLB tenure concluded after the 1979 season. He returned to the minor leagues for the 1980 season before retiring from professional baseball.
Post‑playing life
Following his baseball career, Chappas has maintained a low public profile. Details of his later professional endeavors or personal life have not been widely documented in reliable sources.
Legacy
While Chappas’ major‑league career was brief, his presence contributed to ongoing conversations about player size and performance in baseball. He remains a point of reference when discussing short athletes who have reached the major‑league level.
References
- Major League Baseball player statistics, publicly available databases (e.g., Baseball‑Reference.com).
- Chicago White Sox historical roster records.
Note: All biographical information reflects data documented in reputable baseball reference sources.