All-Time MLB Players From Louisiana: Chuck Finley

There have been a number of individuals from Lafayette, and the Acadiana area, that have played in Major League Baseball over the years.

Obviously, the entire state of Louisiana has produced even more.

As a matter of fact, 246 people born in the state of Louisiana have appeared in a Major League Baseball game, beginning in 1874, with John Peters of New Orleans, who played 11 years, with the likes of the Chicago White Stockings, Milwaukee Grays, Providence Grays, Buffalo Bisons, and Pittsburgh Alleghenys.

All summer, we’ll preview a player from the state of Louisiana that appeared in Major League baseball, starting with players from Lafayette, before spotlighting players from the Acadiana area, and then a few from the state itself.

Yesterday, we spotlighted Pat Listach.

Today, we feature Chuck Finley.

Born in Monroe in 1962, Finley, a left-handed pitcher, played parts of 17 seasons in Major League Baseball, with the California/Anaheim Angels (1986-1999), Cleveland Indians (2000-2002), and the St. Louis Cardinals (2002).

After attending West Monroe High School, and then playing his college baseball at ULM, Finley was selected by the Angles in the first round of the 1985 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Finley made his Major League debut on May 29, 1986, tossing one inning against the Detroit Tigers.

Finley went on to appear in 25 games for the Angels in 1986, all in relief, going 3-1 with a 3.30 ERA.

After going 2-7 with a 4.67 ERA. in 90.2 innings in 1987, Finley became a fulltime starting pitcher in 1988, going 9-15 with a 4.17 ERA. in 31 starts.

1989 saw Finley have his breakout season, making the American League All-Star for the first of five times in his career, while going 16-9 with a 2.57 ERA.

After back-to-back 18-win seasons in 1990 and 1991, Finley slipped to 7 wins in 1992, before going 8-consecutive seasons with double-digit victories.

Finley played his final MLB game on September 28, 2002.

In parts of 17 seasons in Major League Baseball, Finley appeared in 524 games, including 467 as a starter, accumulating a career record of 200-173, to go along with a 3.85 ERA.