CHARLIE BENNETT
Catcher, 1881-1888
-- Detroit Wolverines --
--Class of 1890--
Bats - Right
Throws - Right
Born - 11/21/1854
Died - 2/24/1927
Biography:
Before Ty Cobb, Joe Lewis, Bobby Layne, Al Kaline, and Gordie Howe, there was Charlie Bennett. He was Detroit's first sports legend. Bennett was considered by many the best catcher in the 1800s, and was one of two captains during the Detroit Wolverines' eight-year tenure. He was the ingenious and popular leader for the franchise that kicked off major league baseball in Detroit. And he was a pioneer. Bennett is often credited for creating the first chest protector for catchers. It was a cork-lined vest made by his wife that he wore under his uniform. A .278 hitter with Detroit, Bennett batted .243 during the Wolverines' glorious 1886 campaign in which they won 87 and lost 36, but defensively lead all National League catchers in total chances (533) and fielding percentage (.955). He also was effective at stopping the opposition's running game. During the Wolverines' World Championship season in 1887, he saw split duties with fellow Charlie (Ganzel), but provided a .400 slugging percentage in the process. His best season with Detroit was probably 1885 when he slugged .456 with 24 doubles, 13 triples, and five home runs in just 91 games. He batted over .300 during each of his first three seasons in Detroit (1881 to 1883). A tragic train accident in 1893 resulted in the loss of both of Bennett's legs, reducing him to the use of artificial limbs. However, the accident didn’t destory Bennett's zest for life or his love affair with Detroit. Bennett Park was opened on Michigan and Trumbull on April 28, 1896, with Charlie throwing the first pitch. It's a routine he continued for every home opener until 1926.
Hitting:
Code:
Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS+ TB SH HBP
1881 26 DTN NL 76 299 44 90 18 7 7 64 18 37 .301 .341 .478 149 143
1882 27 DTN NL 84 342 43 103 16 10 5 51 20 33 .301 .340 .450 151 154
1883 28 DTN NL 92 371 56 113 34 7 5 55 26 59 .305 .350 .474 152 176
1884 29 DTN NL 90 341 37 90 18 6 3 40 36 40 .264 .334 .378 130 129
1885 30 DTN NL 91 349 49 94 24 13 5 60 47 37 .269 .356 .456 161 159
1886 31 DTN NL 72 235 37 57 13 5 4 34 4 48 29 .243 .371 .391 129 92
1887 32 DTN NL 46 160 26 39 6 5 3 20 7 30 22 .244 .363 .400 109 64 0
1888 33 DTN NL 74 258 32 68 12 4 5 29 4 31 40 .264 .347 .399 137 103 2
YR From To G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG SB CS OPS+
TOTALS 8 1881 1888 625 2355 324 654 141 57 37 353 256 297 .278 .349 .433 15 0 142