Irvin Woodberry "Chester" Brooks (June 5, 1891 – February 4, 1966) was an American baseball player in the Negro leagues.. Several reference books incorrectly list him as "Chester" Brooks born in the Bahamas, he was actually born in

Key West, Florida Key West ( es, Cayo Hueso) is an island in the Straits of Florida, within the U.S. state of Florida. Together with all or parts of the separate islands of Sigsbee Park, Dredgers Key, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and the northern part of Stock Isla ...

and during his playing career he was known as "Irvin" (or occasionally as "Irving"). The nickname "Chester" and reference to West Indian origins apparently first appears in print in articles by Cumberland Posey. From 1918 to 1933 he played pitcher,

infielder An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field. Standard arrangement of positions In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles. ...

, and outfielder. Brooks spent his entire playing career with the

Brooklyn Royal Giants The Brooklyn Royal Giants were a professional Negro league baseball team based in Brooklyn, New York. Formed in 1905 by John Wilson Connor (1875–1926), owner of the Brooklyn Royal Cafe, the team initially played against white semi-pro teams. ...

and was an outstanding hitter. Cumberland Posey, the influential owner of the Homestead Grays, named Brooks to his all-time Negro league baseball all-star team.

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Baseball-Reference Black Baseball stats
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Seamheads
* 1891 births 1966 deaths People from Key West, Florida Baseball players from Florida Brooklyn Royal Giants players Place of death missing 20th-century African-American sportspeople Baseball infielders Baseball pitchers Burials at Long Island National Cemetery {{Negro-league-baseball-infielder-stub