Chief Bender

Date of Birth: May 5, 1884

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: May 22, 1954

Biography

Chief Bender, born Charles Albert Bender, was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1903 to 1925. He is best remembered for his time with the Philadelphia Athletics, where he became one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. Bender was of Ojibwe descent and faced significant racial prejudice throughout his career, but he overcame these challenges to become a Hall of Famer. Known for his intelligence and strategic thinking on the mound, Bender was a key player in helping the Athletics win three World Series championships (1910, 1911, and 1913). After his playing career, he continued his involvement in baseball as a coach and scout, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.

5 Interesting Facts about Chief Bender

1. Chief Bender was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953.

2. He is credited with popularizing the slider, a pitch that was relatively unknown during his time.

3. Bender threw a no-hitter on May 12, 1910, against the Cleveland Naps.

4. He served as a player-manager for the Chicago Whales in the Federal League in 1915.

5. Bender was one of the first Native American players to achieve significant success in Major League Baseball.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Chief Bender

1. “I do not want my boys to be afraid of the batter. I want them to pitch with their brains and their arms.”

2. “I had to fight all my life to survive. They were all against me… but I beat them every time.”

3. “A pitcher is not a ballplayer. He is a man who throws the ball where the batter does not want it.”

4. “I don’t care to be called ‘Chief.’ My name is Charles Bender.”

5. “The greatest thrill in my life was to pitch in the World Series.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures of Chief Bender’s net worth are not recorded, it is known that athletes of his era did not accumulate wealth comparable to modern players. However, his contributions to baseball and his post-playing career as a coach and scout suggest he maintained a modest but respectable living.