Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-09-06
CHARLEY BENNETT.
The Afflicted Veteran Speaks of HIS
Baseball Career

| When Charley Bennett was lifted.
| mansled and bleeding from beneath
| the cars on January 10 last. baseball
| lost one of her greatest artists. one
OF her trueSt representatives a player
who stood at the top of his class.
Bennett was cut down when stand
ing on the topmost round of popu-
larity. He had completed last year
his seventeenth year Of the diamond.
During that time he had been a men,
Der of two Of the greatest clubs in
the history Of the national game-the
DetrOitS and BossonS- and even in
that fast company ranked above all
other citchers. In the old days before
the time of catching mitS protectors
and masks. Bennett caught more
games than any other man, and as a
result displays pair of hands the
fingers of which have all been broken
twice or more. knotted and twisted,
they are testimonials of his faithful
work
For the past few weeks Bennett
has been in the city fitting and trying
forced to learn the first steps Many
lessons will be necessary. Each day
he gains more confidence and in
few weeks he will be able to discard
his crutches and walk with the aid
Of a cane.
Bennett is a really fluent talker,
ever willing to discuss the game he
oil Il
ing his own history, and except in
answer to a direct question, seldom
speaks Of himself. He has an excel
lent memory, keen appreciat ton of
humor, and has stored away an IN
exhaustive fund of stories of the game
and its kings.
1t is a notable fact that Bennett
was never released by any club. He
remained with each team. except Bos-
ton, until it went out Of existence.
In response to a question concern
ing the great teams that have played
the game, he said: Chicago in 'S4
'S5 and SO had the greatest team
Of the world 1t was about two years
ahead of the other clubs in team work
and science. Its players were continu-
ally springing some new trick. The
Boston team today comes nearer fill
ing its place than any other. Each
plays the same style game, depending
entirely on team work and science to
win. The old Detroit team in 'S6-S7
was the heaviest batting team in the
country. 1t depended on batting
alone to pull it through, although for
big men they were clever fielders.
Speaking Of press criticism, Bennett
said: The most sensitive man in the
world is the best ball player. His
first act in the morning is to look at
the papers, and if his playing is crit
cised it will affect him all day. 1
have often seen players who said that
they did not care what was said of
them. But their actions when roasted
did not carry out their statements.
never knew but one man who abSO-
lutcly did not care what was said of
him. That was Kelly. He would not
even take the trouble to read the ar
ticle and would often say: Let them
advertise me; that's what l am here
fOr,'''
Bennett and Charley Nichols were
the greatest friends. Their families
lived together in Boston last season.
Speaking Of Nichols, Bennett said:
Il consider Nick the greatest pitcher
in the world today. His work last
season was wonderful. He was called
on to do more work than any other
two pitchers on the team, yet i would
never see any let up in his work.
He takes excellent care of himself and
never has a sore arm. His movement
in pitching Is so free that l expect
him to outlast the majority of pitchers.
He was always willing to go in, no
matter how often, but unless / caught
him be would make a kick"
Boston is sadly handicapped without
Bennett this season. Camel was al
ways slow and poor thrower, while
Ry an and ,COnnaughton are young
sters who lack experience.
Commenting on the league race Ben
nett SAID: "A month ago l thought
Boston would win the pennant, but
now 1 fear it is doubtful. Her trouble
this season is in the box. Nichols is
her only winning pitcher, and there
is a limit to his work. Boston can
not win with but one pitcher. l now
believe that the flag will come west.
Either Cleveland or Pittsburg will be
the lucky team. I hope, if Boston does
not WIN it will not be Pittsburg that
does. | have a horror Of dirty ball
playing and do not think it should
be cOuntenanced.
''Pittsburg plays dirtier ball than
any other team in the league, and
should they win, it will be an argu-
ment in favor Of that style of game"
To the young player just started on
his professional career Bennett was
a godsend; especially was he kind to
young pitchers. He would encourage
them, talk to them by the hour, coach
them, and do all in his power to
make their path less rough.
II used to feel so sorry for young
pitcher who was being hit hard in
game" said Bennett. Il often believe
it hurt me fully as much as it did
him.
Bennett returned to Williamsburg,
Kas.. Friday. He said as he left: Il
am going to put in all of my time
now learning to walk"
On Aug. p the Boston management
will give Bennett a benefit. The Bos
ton team will that day play a picked
college team of Harvard players. Jack