Chet Covington

Who was Chet Covington?

Chester Rogers Covington was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1944. The 33-year-old rookie, who had been The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year in 1943, was a native of Cairo, Illinois.

Covington is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major leagues during World War II. He made his major league debut on April 23, 1944 in a doubleheader against the Boston Braves at Braves Field. His first and only major-league win was in the first game of a doubleheader against the Braves at Shibe Park on April 30, 1944. He pitched in relief and was the pitcher of record in a 14-inning, 2-1 victory.

For the season, part of which was spent in the minor leagues, he appeared in 19 games, all in relief, and had a 1-1 record with 10 games finished. He allowed 20 earned runs in 38.2 innings pitched for a final ERA of 4.66. In addition, Covington pitched 15 seasons in minor league baseball, winning minor league 220 games.

Covington died at the age of 65 in Pembroke Park, Florida.