WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CHUCK KNOBLAUCH?

(photo: Daily News)
Seems like a silly question. As a player who was so instrumental in leading the Yankees into 4 consecutive pennant winning post-seasons, three of which included World Series trophies, right-handed Chuck Knoblauch leads a pretty low-key lifestyle these days. Although he seems to be out of the spotlight, his time with the Yankees deserves center stage attention from us.

Chuck was traded by the Twins to New York in 1998. At that time, ESPN’s Buster Olney, who was writing for the New York Times, predicted that the combination of Chuck Knoblauch at second base and Derek Jeter at shortstop would be a double play combination for the history books. Although he struggled a little bit early on, and was more than vocal on the field on occasion, Olney wasn’t too far off base with his prediction. Chuck and Jeter made double plays look like a walk in the park.Knoblauch was no slouch at the plate either. During his career, spanning from 1991-2002, Chuck racked up a batting average of .289, with 1,839 hits, 98 home runs, and a whopping 615 RBIs. Most heralded for his speed, Chuck stole 407 bases, almost as if he was taking candy from a baby.

Chuck Knoblauch’s power at the plate and on the field began to slide at the turn of the century, making him the subject of a great deal of criticism. The slide was consistent and steady, and eventually he was traded to the Kansas City Royals, where he was moved to left field. He played there for a year, then retired, turning down a minor league deal.I’ve heard a lot of conjecture about Chuck’s state of mind, and that along with his physical power, he may have lost some mental strength as well. Merely speculation and, as someone who works as a professional mental health counselor in “real life”, it’s more than unfair.

What I can tell you is this: Chuck Knoblauch’s father died of Alzheimer’s disease in 2002. Anyone who is familiar with this chronic, debilitating disease is also familiar with the slow, painful toll that it takes on the entire family. A diagnosis like this can pull the rug right out from underneath anyone. No doubt, there was an instant shift in priorities for the whole family, including Chuck. If dealing with the initial shock, then watching your beloved father slowly decline and suffer is not strong, physically and mentally, I don’t know what is.
Chuck’s father was his idol, his mentor, and his coach, on the field and off. Known as “Coach Knob”, he was a patriarch of baseball, creating and developing dozens of seasoned players, including Bubba Crosby, who felt a family-like connection to Chuck because of the connection he shared with his father.

I propose that as a collective unit, we continue to acknowledge and praise all of the work that Chuck Knoblauch did for the team, and the fans. World Series rings don’t win themselves. It takes heart, courage and strength- the kind of personal power that Chuck has.


--Christy Lee, BYB Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @ChristyLee127



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