View source for Chuck Finley

{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{short description|American baseball player (born 1962)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{for multi|the like-named fictional character from the television series Burn Notice|Sam Axe|other people|Charles Finley (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|text=American session musician [[Chuck Findley]]}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Chuck Finley
|image=Chuck Finley 1996.jpg
|image_size=275px
|caption=Finley with the California Angels in 1996
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Left
|throws=Left
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1962|11|26}}
|birth_place=[[Monroe, Louisiana]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=May 29
|debutyear=1986
|debutteam=California Angels
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=September 28
|finalyear=2002
|finalteam=St. Louis Cardinals
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=200–173
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=3.85
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=2,610
|teams=
* [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|California / Anaheim Angels]] ({{mlby|1986}}–{{mlby|1999}})
* [[Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|2000}}–{{mlby|2002}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|2002}})
|highlights=
* 5× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1989]], [[1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1990]], [[1995 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1995]], [[1996 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1996]], [[2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2000]])
* [[Angels Hall of Fame]]
}}
'''Charles Edward Finley''' (born November 26, 1962) is an American former professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]]. He pitched from 1986 to 2002 for three teams in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB), primarily with the [[California Angels]]. After a 14-year tenure with the Angels, he played for the [[Cleveland Indians]] for two-and-a-half seasons, then was traded to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] and played there for a half-season. Listed at {{convert|6|ft|6|in}} and {{convert|220|lb|kg}}, he threw and batted left-handed. During a 17-year major-league career, Finley compiled 200 wins, 2,610 [[strikeout]]s, and a 3.85 [[earned run average]]. He holds multiple [[List of Los Angeles Angels team records|Angels team records]] for a career, including games started (379), wins (165), losses (140), and [[innings pitched]] (2,675).

==Baseball career==
Finley was born in [[Monroe, Louisiana]], and pitched for [[West Monroe High School]].<ref name=hs/> After first playing [[college baseball]] for [[Louisiana Tech University]], he transferred to [[University of Louisiana at Monroe|Northeast Louisiana University]].<ref name=hs/> His ability to pitch for more than two or three innings was initially limited by mechanical issues, as his delivery at this time was "crude" and inconsistent.<ref name=hs>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79894599/starting-at-the-top-west-monroes-finle/ |title=Starting at the top: West Monroe's Finley learned to pitch under major-league fire |first=Jack |last=Mitchell |newspaper=[[The Times (Shreveport)|The Times]] |location=[[Shreveport, Louisiana]] |page=39 |date=June 3, 1990 |accessdate=June 19, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He was selected by the [[California Angels]] in the 15th round of the [[1984 Major League Baseball draft|1984 MLB draft]], held in June, but he did not sign.<ref name=hs/><ref name=retro/> The Angels chose Finley again with the fourth overall pick of the secondary phase of the draft, held in January 1985.<ref name=retro>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/F/Pfinlc001.htm |title=Chuck Finley |website=[[Retrosheet]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> After pitching for Northeast Louisiana during the spring, he signed with the Angels by late May.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79903026/area-sports-column/ |title=Area sports (column) |newspaper=[[Shreveport Journal]] |location=[[Shreveport, Louisiana]] |page=16 |date=May 28, 1985 |accessdate=June 20, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

Finley began his professional baseball career in 1985 with the [[Minor League Baseball|minor league]] [[Salem Angels]], a [[Class A Short Season]] team in the [[Northwest League]].<ref name=brm>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=finley001cha |title=Chuck Finley Minor League Statistics & History |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> In 18 appearances, all in relief, he recorded a 4.66 [[earned run average]] (ERA) and a 3–1 [[Win–loss record (pitching)|win–loss record]] while earning five [[Save (baseball)|save]]s.<ref name=brm/> In 1986, he made 10 relief appearances for the [[Quad Cities Angels]] of the [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] [[Midwest League]], allowing only four [[Hit (baseball)|hit]]s and no [[earned run]]s in 12 [[innings pitched]] while [[Strikeout|striking out]] 16 batters and notching six saves.<ref name=brm/> He was called up to the major-league Angels in late May.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79873802/finley-jumps-from-q-c-to-majors/ |title=Finley jumps from Q-C to majors |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |newspaper=[[Quad-City Times]] |location=[[Davenport, Iowa]] |page=19 |date=May 26, 1986 |accessdate=June 19, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

===California Angels / Anaheim Angels===
Finley made his MLB debut with the Angels on May 29, 1986, during a 7–4 loss to the [[Detroit Tigers]].<ref name=debut/> In relief of starting pitcher [[Don Sutton]], Finley allowed two runs on two hits in one [[inning pitched]].<ref name=debut/> He also recorded his first major-league strikeout, coming against [[Pat Sheridan]].<ref name=debut>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1986/B05290CAL1986.htm |title=Detroit Tigers 7, California Angels 4 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> Finley made a total of 25 appearances, all in relief, with the [[1986 California Angels season|1986 Angels]], pitching to a 3.30 ERA and a 3–1 record while striking out 37 batters in {{frac|46|1|3}} innings.<ref name=br>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/finlech01.shtml |title=Chuck Finley Stats |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> In his only postseason appearances with the Angels, Finley played in three games of the [[1986 American League Championship Series]] against the [[Boston Red Sox]], allowing one hit in two innings pitched.<ref name=br/>

Finley pitched to a 2–7 record with a 4.67 ERA in 1987, appearing in 35 games including three starts at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1987/Kfinlc0010021987.htm |title=The 1987 CAL A Regular Season Pitching Log for Chuck Finley |website=[[Retrosheet]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> The 32 relief appearances he made were the last of his major league career, as he was subsequently used exclusively as a starter.<ref name=br/> During 1988, Finley made 31 starts, accruing a 9–15 record with 4.17 ERA.<ref name=br/> His first MLB win as a starting pitcher came on April 13, a 5–2 win over the [[Chicago White Sox]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/B04130CAL1988.htm |title=California Angels 5, Chicago White Sox 2 |date=April 13, 1988 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> and later that month he recorded his first [[complete game]], a 6–1 win over the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] on April 30.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/B04300TOR1988.htm |title=California Angels 6, Toronto Blue Jays 1 |date=April 30, 1988 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/Kfinlc0010031988.htm |title=The 1988 CAL A Regular Season Pitching Log for Chuck Finley |website=[[Retrosheet]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref>

Finley was selected to the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|MLB All-Star Game]] in both 1989 and 1990.<ref name=br/> In the former season, he was 16–9 in 29 starts with a 2.57 ERA, while in the latter season he was 18–9 with a career-low 2.40 ERA in 32 starts.<ref name=br/> He received one vote in 1990 [[Cy Young Award]] balloting for the [[American League]] (AL), with the award going to [[Bob Welch (baseball)|Bob Welch]] of the [[Oakland Athletics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1990.shtml#all_AL_CYA_voting |title=1990 Awards Voting |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> Finley again was 18–9 in 1991, albeit with a higher ERA of 3.80.<ref name=br/> His ERA further increased to 3.96 in 1992, and his record fell to 7–12.<ref name=br/>

Finley led the major leagues in complete games in 1993, with 13, en route to a 16–14 record with a 3.15 ERA in a career-high {{frac|251|1|3}} innings pitched.<ref name=br/> In the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|strike-shortened]] 1994 season, he led the AL in starts (25) and innings pitched ({{frac|183|1|3}}) while going 10–10 with a 4.32 ERA.<ref name=br/> Finley was selected to his third and fourth MLB All-Star Games in 1995 and 1996, winning 15 games each season, against 12 losses in 1995 with a 4.21 ERA, and 16 losses in 1996 with a 4.16 ERA.<ref name=br/> Finley became a [[free agent]] for the first time following the 1995 season, and was re-signed by the Angels.<ref name=retro/>

In 1997, the team changed its name from California Angels to Anaheim Angels. During [[spring training]], Finley was struck by a bat and sustained a broken [[orbital bone]] under his right eye.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79883564/cactus-league-angels/ |title=Cactus League: Angels |newspaper=[[The Arizona Republic]] |location=[[Phoenix, Arizona]] |page=32 |date=March 18, 1997 |accessdate=June 19, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He made two rehabilitation starts, with the [[Class A-Advanced]] [[Lake Elsinore Storm]] of the [[California League]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79885924/finley-ends-rehabilitation-in-style/ |title=Finley Ends Rehabilitation in Style |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=47 |date=April 11, 1997 |accessdate=June 19, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=brm/> For the major-league season, he registered a 4.23 ERA and 13–6 record with the Angels.<ref name=br/> In 1998, he was 11–9 with a 3.39 ERA.<ref name=br/> During the 1999 season, Finley made 33 starts, compiling a 12–11 record with a 4.43 ERA.<ref name=br/> Finley also became the first pitcher in major league history to record [[List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders|four strikeouts in a single inning]] more than once, accomplishing the feat for the Angels on May 12 and August 15; he later accomplished it for a third time on April 16, 2000. He remains the only player to do it 3 times in his career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats19.shtml |title=Four Strikeouts in One Inning |website=[[Baseball Almanac]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref>

After the 1999 season, Finley again became a free agent, and did not return to the Angels.<ref name=retro/> In his 14 seasons with the team, he accrued an overall record of 165–140 with 3.72 ERA in 2,675 innings pitched; he won 15 or more games six times and pitched over 200 innings eight times.<ref name=br/>

===Cleveland Indians===
Finley signed with the [[Cleveland Indians]] in mid-December 1999.<ref name=retro/> In 2000, he went 16–11 with a 4.17 ERA and was named an MLB All-Star for the fifth and final time of his career.<ref name=br/> In January 2001, Finley underwent [[Arthroscopy|arthroscopic]] knee surgery, and went on the [[disabled list]] twice during the season for neck and shoulder [[spasm]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79887204/chuck-finley-back-in-form-and-indians-do/ |title=Chuck Finley back in form and Indians down Red Sox 6-4 |agency=[[The Canadian Press|CP]] |page=40 |newspaper=[[Whitehorse Star]] |location=[[Whitehorse, Yukon]] |date=September 7, 2001 |accessdate=June 19, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He made two rehabilitation appearances with the [[Akron Aeros]] of the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|Eastern League]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79887515/finley-to-get-double-a-rehab-start/ |title=Finley to get Double-A rehab start |newspaper=[[Chillicothe Gazette]] |location=[[Chillicothe, Ohio]] |page=8 |date=July 14, 2001 |accessdate=June 19, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=brm/> and in 22 appearances with Cleveland posted an 8–7 record with a 5.54 ERA. In the [[2001 American League Division Series]], Finley started two games against the [[Seattle Mariners]], losing both and pitching to a 7.27 ERA.<ref name=br/> In 2002, he was 4–11 in 18 starts for Cleveland with a 4.44 ERA before being traded.<ref name=br/>

===St. Louis Cardinals===
Finley was traded to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] on July 19, 2002, for minor-league outfielder Luis Garcia and a [[player to be named later]].<ref name=retro/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garcia002lui |title=Luis Garcia Minor, Mexican, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> Outfielder [[Coco Crisp]] was sent to Cleveland in early August to complete the deal,<ref name=retro/> making his MLB debut later that month.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/C/Pcrisc001.htm |title=Coco Crisp |website=[[Retrosheet]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> Finley went 7–4 with a 3.80 ERA in 14 starts through the remainder of the season.<ref name=br/> In the 2002 postseason, Finley started one game of the [[2002 National League Division Series]], getting a [[no decision]] as the Cardinals swept the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]].<ref name=br/> In the [[2002 National League Championship Series]], he won his only start, a 5–4 win over the [[San Francisco Giants]] in Game 3,<ref name=br/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2002/B10120SFN2002.htm |title=St. Louis Cardinals 5, San Francisco Giants 4 |date=October 12, 2002 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> as the Cardinals were eliminated in five games.

In November 2002, Finley filed for free agency.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79889794/several-cardinals-file-to-become-free-ag/ |title=Several Cardinals File to Become Free Agents |newspaper=The Herald |location=[[Mascoutah, Illinois]] |page=10 |date=November 7, 2002 |accessdate=June 19, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He remained unsigned into the 2003 season,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79890215/angel-report-column/ |title=Angel Report (column) |first=Bill |last=Shaikin |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=D5 |date=June 26, 2003 |accessdate=June 19, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> and did not play again professionally.<ref name=br/> Overall, during his 17 seasons in MLB, Finley compiled a record of 200–173 with a 3.85 ERA and 1.376 [[Walks plus hits per inning pitched|WHIP]].<ref name=br/> Defensively, he had a .907 [[fielding percentage]], while offensively he had three hits in 53 [[at bat]]s for an .057 [[Batting average (baseball)|batting average]].<ref name=br/> He was only [[Ejection (sports)|ejected]] from two MLB games, one each in 1990 and 1991.<ref name=retro/>

Finely became eligible for the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] on the [[2008 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2008 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot]], but only received one vote and fell off the ballot.

==Personal life==
{{asof|2021}}, Finley lives in [[Newport Beach, California]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tmz.com/2021/05/27/tawny-kitaen-celebration-of-life-memorial-family-friends/ |title=Tawny Kitaen: Family & Friends Celebrate Her Life |website=[[TMZ]] |date=May 27, 2021 |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref>

===Marriage===
Finley was married to actress [[Tawny Kitaen]] from 1997 to 2002. They had two daughters.<ref name="LAtimes">{{cite news |last1=Yamato |first1=Jen |title=Tawny Kitaen, '80s rock video star and 'Bachelor Party' actress, dies at 59 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-05-08/tawny-kitaen-bachelor-party-whitesnake-music-video-star-dies-59 |access-date=May 9, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 9, 2021}}</ref> Finley and Kitaen were featured together in the 1999 [[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue|''Sports Illustrated'' Swimsuit Issue]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/merron/030221.html |title=SI undressed |first=Jeff |last=Merron |website=ESPN.com |date=2003 |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://swimsuit.si.com/swimsuit/model/chuck-finley |title=Chuck Finley |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref>

On April 4, 2002, Finley filed for divorce three days after Kitaen was charged with committing [[domestic violence]] against him, twisting his ear and having beaten him repeatedly with a [[stiletto heel]] in the arm, leg and foot while he was driving a car in [[Orange County, California]], two weeks earlier. In the divorce filings, he stated, "I am fearful that (Kitaen)... will harm herself or will harm others, including me or including my children." He received a temporary [[restraining order]] preventing her from seeing him and he received temporary custody of the children. During hearings on the domestic violence charge of spousal abuse, Kitaen initially pleaded not guilty but admitted that she was addicted to prescription medications which she had taken for two years for [[migraine]]s, and voluntarily entered both substance abuse treatment and [[anger management]] classes for 52 weeks to get the charges dropped.<ref>{{cite web |title=Battered Husbands Often Afraid to Admit Abuse |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=123755&page=1}}</ref><ref name="cleveland19.com">[https://www.cleveland19.com/story/747233/finley-files-for-divorce-2-weeks-after-alleged-dispute-with-wife/ Finley Files For Divorce 2 Weeks After Alleged Dispute With Wife]</ref><ref>[http://www.espn.com/page2/s/caple/020405.html Stay away from brawny Tawny]</ref><ref>[https://meaww.com/tawny-kitaen-dead-divorce-marriage-david-coverdale-chuck-finley-arrest-addiction Tawny Kitaen's divorces: Tragic story of '80s music video vixen's marriages with David Coverdale, Chuck Finley]</ref> Tawny Finley, in a declaration to the Orange County Superior Court, claimed Finley used [[Anabolic steroid|steroid]]s, among other drugs. She also claimed he bragged about being able to circumvent [[Major League Baseball drug policy|MLB's testing policy]].<ref name="nydailynews">{{cite news|last=Rush|first=George|title=PITCHER, WIFE PLAY HARDBALL IN DIVORCE|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/gossip/pitcher-wife-play-hardball-divorce-article-1.490901|access-date=September 3, 2010|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=May 16, 2002}}</ref>  When told of his wife's accusations, which also included heavy [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] use and alcohol abuse, Finley replied: "I can't believe she left out the [[cross-dressing]]."<ref name="ESPN.com">{{cite web|last=Reilly|first=Rick|title=Too short for a column:Won't you help Brian Cushing?|date=September 7, 2010 |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/rick-reilly-go-fish/post/_/id/579/wont-you-help-brian-cushing}}</ref>

So prevalent was his personal life troubles that in April 16, 2002, road game against the [[Chicago White Sox]], the [[Guaranteed Rate Field|Comiskey Park]] musical director took a subtle dig at Finley's messy divorce,<ref name="cleveland19.com"/> and played "[[Here I Go Again]]" by the band [[Whitesnake]], referencing Kitaen's appearance in that band's videos and her previous marriage to the band's lead singer, [[David Coverdale]]. Lasting only {{frac|1|2|3}} innings, Finley gave up nine runs (eight earned) including two home runs.<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA200204160.shtml Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox Box Score, April 16, 2002]</ref> The musical director was later fired, and the White Sox apologized.<ref name="espnmusic">{{cite web|last=Caple|first=Jim|title=Who let the prudes out?|url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/caple/020424.html|work=ESPN.com |date=April 2002 |access-date=September 3, 2010}}</ref>

Finley's third daughter Briena was born in 2007 from a relationship at the time.<ref>ocfamilycourt</ref>

===Library Scandal===
In 2016, staff at the East Lake County Library in [[Sorrento, Florida]], created a fictitious patron named “Chuck Finley” to manipulate the library’s circulation records. The name, borrowed from retired Major League Baseball pitcher Chuck Finley, was used to check out over 2,600 books within a nine-month period.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-38496481 |title=Fake borrowers at Florida library probed |website=[[BBC]] |date=2017-01-03 |accessdate=2025-02-23}}</ref> The scheme was designed to prevent the library’s automated weeding system from discarding titles that had not been borrowed for an extended time. Library officials claimed this practice helped retain popular books that would otherwise have been removed and later repurchased. 

Following an anonymous tip, an investigation by the Lake County Clerk of Courts’ inspector general’s office uncovered multiple fabricated accounts, leading to the suspension of staff involved and a system-wide audit of the county’s libraries. While the librarians did not personally benefit from the scheme, their actions as an attempt to “teach the system” how to better reflect reader interest rather than rely solely on circulation metrics. The former major league pitcher was not involved in the scandal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-84998b4e4f5b4e2caa1dac486d78c433 |title=Florida librarians create fake patron to keep books |website=[[Associated Press|AP]] |date=2017-01-04 |accessdate=2025-02-23}}</ref>

==Honors==
Finley became eligible for the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] as of [[2008 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2008]]; he received one vote,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2008.shtml |title=2008 Hall of Fame Voting |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> and was dropped from future consideration for falling below the 5% threshold required to remain on the ballot.

Finley was inducted to the [[Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://louisianasportsshorts.blogspot.com/2016/03/louisiana-sports-hall-of-fame-angels.html?q=finley |title=Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame: California Angels pitcher Chuck Finley |website=Paul Letlow's Louisiana Sports Shorts |via=blogspot.com |date=March 2016 |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://lasportshall.com/?inductees=chuck-finley |title=Chuck Finley |website=lasportshall.com |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> In November 2007, the [[Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks baseball]] program (known as Northeast Louisiana when Finley played there) retired Finley's no. 31 jersey; he was previously inducted to the university's hall of fame in 1996.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ulmwarhawks.com/news/2007/11/4/1302297 |title=ULM Retires Jerseys of Baseball Standouts Ben Sheets and Chuck Finley |website=ulmwarhawks.com |date=November 4, 2007 |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref> Finley was inducted to the [[Angels Hall of Fame]] on August 27, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/angels/history/hall-of-fame |title=Angels Hall of Fame |website=MLB.com |publisher=Los Angeles Angels |accessdate=June 19, 2021}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
In the show ''[[Burn Notice]]'', the character [[Sam Axe]], played by [[Bruce Campbell]], frequently uses the alias Chuck Finley (or Charles Finley for more sophisticated circumstances),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.buzzinetv.com/interviews/tv-interview-bruce-campbell-burn-notice-08082010|title='Burn Notice' TV Star By Day, Cult Film Hero By Night|author=Darryl Morden|date=August 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116091851/http://www.buzzinetv.com/interviews/tv-interview-bruce-campbell-burn-notice-08082010|archive-date=January 16, 2011|publisher=Buzzzine}}</ref> which is said to be chosen by Sam because he successfully bet on Chuck Finley many times.<ref>[http://tv.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10684/burn-notice-who-is-chuck-finley/?tc=ar Charles 'Chuck' Finley]</ref>  Reportedly, Campbell's father was once friends with a coworker also named Chuck Finley.<ref>{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Mike |date=July 24, 2009 |title='Burn Notice': Who is Chuck Finley? |url=http://tv.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10684/burn-notice-who-is-chuck-finley/ |work=[[The Press Democrat]] |location=Santa Rosa, California |access-date=August 8, 2017 |quote=And to hear Bruce Campbell (who plays Sam) tell it, Chuck Finley was a friend of his dad's back in the day.}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Baseballstats |mlb=114133 |br=f/finlech01 |fangraphs=384 |brm=finley001cha |retro=F/Pfinlc001}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy9crHJuzhg Chuck Finley records four strikeouts in one inning] from MLB via YouTube (May 12, 1999; Angels vs. Yankees)
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9OoQTQpdts Chuck Finley K's four in top of 3rd] from MLB via YouTube (April 16, 2000; Indians vs. Rangers)

{{Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{Angels Hall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Finley, Chuck}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Akron Aeros players]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Anaheim Angels players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Monroe, Louisiana]]
[[Category:California Angels players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Indians players]]
[[Category:Lake Elsinore Storm players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Louisiana Tech Bulldogs baseball players]]
[[Category:Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks baseball players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Quad Cities Angels players]]
[[Category:Salem Angels players]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals players]]
[[Category:West Monroe High School alumni]]