Spurgeon Ferdinand "Spud" Chandler (September 12, 1907 – January 9, 1990) was an American professional baseball player.

He was named the American League's Most Valuable Player in 1943 after anchoring the team's pitching staff with 20 wins and only 4 losses as New York won its third consecutive pennant; his 1.64 earned run average in that season was the lowest by any major league pitcher between 1920 and 1967, and remains a Yankees team record.

[1] He grew up in Franklin County and graduated from Carnesville High School in 1928,[2] and attended the University of Georgia.

He played football as a halfback, throwing a touchdown pass to help defeat Yale in a 1929 game dedicating a new stadium.

Chandler finally made his major league debut at age 29 on May 6, 1937, and went 7–4 that season with a 2.84 ERA and six complete games (including two shutouts).

Bothered by injuries during his early career, after records of 8–7 and 10–4 in 1940 and 1941 he improved further to 16–5 in 1942, finishing third in the AL with a 2.38 ERA and earning his first of four All-Star selections.

In addition to his outstanding ERA, he led the league with 20 wins in 30 starts, as well as 20 complete games and five shutouts.

[4] Chandler later managed in the minor leagues, became pitching coach with the Kansas City Athletics in 1957–58, and scouted for several teams before retiring in 1984.