How a Banned Minor Leaguer Adopted a New Persona -- and Rode It to the Majors

Catcher Bert “B.E.” Chapman, whose path to MLB began with a deceptive twist, reached the majors in September 1920 after adopting a new identity. Born in 1893 in Pelzer, South Carolina, Chapman spent parts of his childhood in orphanages and later enrolled at the University of South Carolina before starting pro baseball in the Class D Georgia State League. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War I, he returned in 1919 to play catcher and manager for the Sanford Celeryfeds. Success followed, including a .250 batting average and a 46-30 run leading to a championship series. A series conflict with the Orlando Caps involved allegations of rule violations and ineligible players.