Chuck Rose and Del Young: Macon's Only Major League Baseball Players

By Maria L. Evans

Although several Maconites over the years have been signed to minor league contracts, only two people born in Macon have ever inked statistics in The Baseball Almanac - Chuck Rose and Del Young. Unfortunately, about all that is known about either of these players is statistical.

Charles Alfred (Chuck) Rose was born September 1, 1885 and was 24 years old when he made his first appearance with the 1909 St. Louis Browns in the American League. He was a left handed pitcher and batted left handed, was 5' 8½" and 158 lbs during his playing days. He must have been brought up late in the season, finished the 1909 season, and never pitched another major league game after September 29, 1909. He had a 1-2 record with 25 innings pitched, 6 strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA - not a very auspicious debut. He died in Salina, Kansas on August 4, 1961 and was buried in the Mt. Olivet cemetery in Marceline, MO.

Delmer John (Del )Young was born October 24, 1885 in Macon. On September 24, 1909 he broke into the majors with the Cincinnati Reds. He only had 7 at bats that season but showed promise with a .286 average.

Del next showed up playing for the Buffalo Blues [later the Buffalo Buffeds] of the Federal League - the third major league - in 1914. Although his regular position is not listed, he appeared in 80 games that year and compiled a .276 batting average in 174 at bats. He played in only a few games during 1915 and his average dropped to .133 with only 15 at bats. Del died on December 17, 1959 in Cleveland, OH and was buried in Cleveland's Calvary Cemetery.