Charlie Bennett - Career Overview

Career Overview

Born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Bennett played 15 seasons in the major leagues. He played in 1062 games, had a .340 on base percentage and collected 978 hits, 203 doubles, 67 triples, 55 home runs, and 533 RBIs. He led the Detroit Wolverines in slugging percentage for the first four years of the team's existence.

Aside from his abilities as a slugger, Bennett is regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of the 19th Century. He led the National League in fielding percentage by a catcher seven times (1881, 1883, 1886, and 1888–1891). He also led National League catchers in double plays and putouts three times, and is credited with inventing the chest protector. He had his wife rig up a cork-lined vest, which he wore under his uniform.

In 2001, Bennett was rated as the 49th best catcher of all time by Bill James in "The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract." Only one other catcher who played exclusively in the 19th Century was rated in James' Top 50: Buck Ewing.

The first baseball field built at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull in Detroit was named Bennett Park as a tribute to Charlie Bennett after he lost his legs in a train accident. Bennett threw out the first pitch on Opening Day for the Tigers for the first 26 years of their existence, until his death in 1927.