Benny Bengough
Encyclopedia
Bernard Oliver "Benny" Bengough (July 27, 1898 – December 22, 1968) was a major league baseball catcher who played for ten seasons for the New York Yankees
and St. Louis Browns
. He was born in Niagara Falls, New York
. In his playing days, he stood 5'7½" (174.5 cm) tall, weighed 170 pounds (77 kg), and threw and batted right-handed.
Benny spent most of his career as a platoon or backup catcher, but played on the original "Bronx Bombers" club, with Babe Ruth
and Lou Gehrig
, from 1923 through 1930.
After retiring as a player, Bengough managed in the Yankees' minor league organization, and coached in the major leagues for the Washington Senators
(1940-43), Boston Braves
(1945), and Philadelphia Phillies
(1946-58). Bengough, the longtime third-base coach
for the Phillies, used to entertain fans from the coaching box by removing his cap to reveal his bald head and then running his fingers through his "hair." Bengough was relieved of his Phillies coaching duties on April 11, 1959, but continued to work for the organization in public relations.
He died in Philadelphia
of a heart attack
at age 70.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. He was born in Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
. In his playing days, he stood 5'7½" (174.5 cm) tall, weighed 170 pounds (77 kg), and threw and batted right-handed.
Benny spent most of his career as a platoon or backup catcher, but played on the original "Bronx Bombers" club, with Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
and Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
, from 1923 through 1930.
After retiring as a player, Bengough managed in the Yankees' minor league organization, and coached in the major leagues for the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(1940-43), Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1945), and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1946-58). Bengough, the longtime third-base coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for the Phillies, used to entertain fans from the coaching box by removing his cap to reveal his bald head and then running his fingers through his "hair." Bengough was relieved of his Phillies coaching duties on April 11, 1959, but continued to work for the organization in public relations.
He died in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at age 70.