Chief Bender (1953)


Date of Birth: 5/5/1884
Date of Death: 5/22/1954
Birthplace: Crow Wing County, Minnesota
College: Dickinson College

Chief Bender's mother was a Native American and he grew up on the Carlisle Indian reservation. He attended Carlisle Indian Industrial School and Dickinson College prior to signing with the Philadelphia Athletics before the 1903 season started.

Philadelphia Athletics

Bender played for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1903 through 1914. He pitched a no-hitter on May 12, 1910 against the Cleveland Indians.

In his first season with the Athletics, Bender pitched a career high 270.0 innings in 36 games. He finished the 1903 season with 17 wins and 14 losses, 127 strikeouts to 65 walks, and a 3.07 ERA. The following season, he pitched in 29 games and he had 10 wins and 11 losses, 149 strikeouts to 59 walks, and a 2.87 ERA. He pitched 203.2 innings in 1904.

Bender had 18 wins and 11 losses in 1905. He pitched 238.1 innings and he had a 2.53 ERA. His ERA dropped to 2.05 in 1907. That year, he had 16 wins and 8 losses in 219.1 innings in 33 games.

From 1908 through 1910, Bender's ERA kept dropping until it reached a career low of 1.58 in 1910. He pitched in just 18 games in 1908, finishing the season with 8 wins and 9 losses, 85 strikeouts to 21 walks, and a 1.75 ERA in 138.2 innings. The next year, he had a full season with 250.0 innings in 34 games. He had 18 wins and 8 losses and a 1.66 ERA in 1909. He struck out a career high 161 batters while walking just 45. In 1910, he had a career high 23 wins (to 5 losses) in 250.0 innings in 30 games.

Bender had another strong season in 1911, finishing with 17 wins and 5 losses, 114 strikeouts to 58 walks, and a 2.16 ERA in 216.1 innings in 31 games. The following year, he had alcohol problems and he was suspended in September for alcohol abuse. He finished the 1912 season with 13 wins and 8 losses, 90 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a 2.74 ERA in 171.0 innings in 19 games as a starting pitcher and 8 games as a reliever.

In 1913, Bender was both a starter and a relief pitcher, pitching in 21 games as a starter and in 27 games from the bullpen. He led the AL in saves with 13. He had 21 wins and 10 losses, 135 strikeouts to 59 walks, and a 2.21 ERA in 236.2 innings.

Final Years as a Player

Bender was released by the Athletics after the 1914 season and he signed with the Baltimore Terrapins of the Federal League. After the league and the team folded in 1915, Bender signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for the 1916 season. He played for two seasons with the Phillies before retiring as a major league pitcher. In 1925, while coaching with the Chicago White Sox, Bender made one more appearance as a major league pitcher in one game.

Career Statistics

Career pitching statistics for Bender include:

  • 459 games played
  • 3,017.0 innings pitched
  • 212-127 win-loss record
  • 1,711 strikeouts to 712 walks
  • 2.46 ERA

Career fielding statistics for Bender include:

  • 459 games played
  • 808 assists
  • 173 putouts
  • 55 errors
  • .947 fielding percentage

Postseason statistics for Bender include:

  • 5 postseasons
  • 84.0 innings pitched
  • 6-4 win-loss record
  • 59 strikeouts to 21 walks
  • 2.46 ERA

Post Playing Career

After retiring in 1917, Bender became a coach for the Chicago White Sox. From 1926 through 1950, he was a scout and coach for the Athletics, as well as managing teams in their minor league system.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Chief Bender
ESPN - Chief Bender
Baseball Reference - Chief Bender

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