1903 E107 Breisch Williams "Chief" Bender
Induction Information
Elected to Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee in 1953, Player
Born: May 5, 1884, in Brainerd, Minnesota
Died: May 22, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ML Debut: 4/20/1903
Primary Position: Pitcher
Bats: R Throws: R
Played For: Philadelphia A's (1903-14), Baltimore Terrapins (Federal
League, 1915), Philadelphia Phillies (1916-17), Chicago White Sox (1925)
Primary Team: Philadelphia Athletics
Post-Season: 1905 World Series, 1910 World Series, 1911 World Series,
1913 World Series, 1914 World Series
Pitching
Bio
Possessing a solid fastball, excellent curveball and outstanding control,
Charles Albert “Chief” Bender also developed a slider to help him win 212
games during his 16-year major league career. He led the American League
in winning percentage during three seasons, tossed a no-hitter in 1910 and
retired from the game with 1,711 strikeouts. Bender also pitched in five
World Series, going 6-4 with an ERA of 2.44. A member of the Chippewa tribe
and a graduate of the Carlisle Indian School, Bender overcame subtle discrimination,
and a derisive nickname, to become one of the top pitchers of his era.