Irvin Brooks

Irvin Woodberry "Chester" Brooks (June 5, 1891 – February 4, 1966) was an American baseball player in the Negro leagues.^[3]

Irvin Brooks
Pitcher / Second baseman
Born: (1891-06-05)June 5, 1891 Key West, Florida, U.S.
Died: February 4, 1966(1966-02-04) (aged 74) New York, New York, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
Negro leagues debut
1918, for the Brooklyn Royal Giants
Last Negro leagues appearance
1933, for the Brooklyn Royal Giants
Negro leagues[a] statistics
Batting average	.310
Home runs	16
Runs batted in	98
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Brooklyn Royal Giants (1918–1931, 1933)[2]

Several reference books incorrectly list him as "Chester" Brooks born in the Bahamas, he was actually born in Key West, Florida and during his playing career he was known as "Irvin" (or occasionally as "Irving").^[3][4] The nickname "Chester" and reference to West Indian origins apparently first appears in print in articles by Homestead Grays owner Cumberland Posey.^[5][6]

He spent his entire playing career with the Brooklyn Royal Giants from 1918 to 1933 as a pitcher, infielder, and outfielder.

Posey named Brooks to his all-time Negro league baseball all-star team.^[5]

Notes

1. On December 16, 2020, Major League Baseball declared certain Negro leagues, from the span of 1920–1948, to be "Major League".^[1] Brooks' statistics reflect his time in the Negro leagues from 1923–1927.