Charlie Ganzel

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1895 Mayo Cut Plug (N300) Baseball Card

Charles William (Charlie) Ganzel (June 18, 1862 - April 7, 1914) was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Paul White Caps (UA) (1884), Philadelphia Quakers (1885-1886[start]), Detroit Wolverines (1886[end]-1888) and Boston Beaneaters (1889-1897). He batted and threw right-handed.

A native of Waterford, Wisconsin, Ganzel came from a baseball family. His son, Babe, was an outfielder who played with the Senators from 1927 to 1928, and his brother John was a first baseman for the Pirates, Cubs, Giants, Highlanders and Reds from 1898-1908, and also managed the Reds and the Tip-Tops between 1908 and 1915. Two brothers and two sons also played in the minor leagues.

Ganzel started his career in 1884 with the St. Paul team of the short lived Union Association. In 1885 he signed with Philadelphia and made his debut in the National League. Manager Harry Wright engaged him as the everyday catcher as he remained with the team that season and part of 1886, when was purchased by the Detroit Wolverines.

In Detroit, Ganzel shared duties with Charlie Bennett as he showed a significant improvement in his work, impressing many with his solid defense and strong throwing arm. At the end of 1888 he was sold to the Boston Beaneaters along with Hardy Richardson, Dan Brouthers, and Bennett for $25,000. That was the largest sum paid up to that time for four ball players and Boston obtained plenty of good advertising as well as four talented players who became headliners in the league.

When the Players League took nearly all the star players from the National League in 1890, Ganzel remained with Boston as he refused to sign an agreement to go with the Broterhood. During nine years he catched, often filling in at first base, and was also a shore man in the outfield. His most productive season came in 1894, when he posted career-highs in batting average (.278), runs (51), triples (six), home runs (three) and runs batted in (56).

Ganzel played his final major league game in 1897. He continued playing and coaching for strong teams around New England.

In a 14-season career, Ganzel was a .259 hitter with 10 home runs and 412 RBI in 786 games. He also appeared in two World Championship Series (1887 and 1892).

Ganzel died in Quincy, Massachusetts, at the age of 51.