Ben Sanders

For the New Zealand crime fiction author, see Ben Sanders (author).
Ben Sanders
Pitcher
Born: February 16, 1865
Catharpin, Virginia
Died: August 29, 1930 (aged 65)
Memphis, Tennessee
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 6, 1888 for the Philadelphia Quakers
Last MLB appearance
October 14, 1892 for the Louisville Colonels
Career statistics
Win-loss record 80-70
Earned run average 3.24
Strikeouts 468
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Alexander Bennett "Ben" Sanders (February 16, 1865 August 29, 1930) was an American Major League Baseball player, who pitched a total of five seasons, for three different teams.[1]

Career

Born in Catharpin, Virginia, Sanders debuted on June 6, 1888 with the Philadelphia Quakers of the National League.[1] As a pitcher, he displayed good control, but he used an unorthodox delivery which ended with him off-balance, and with his back turned toward home plate. This made it difficult for him to react quickly on batted balls in his area of responsibility, particularly bunts.[2] On September 18 of that rookie season, Sanders lost a perfect game when his pitching opponent, Gus Krock, singled with one out in the 9th inning for the Chicago Colts. Sanders still achieved a 60 shutout victory.[3]

He pitched two seasons for the Quakers, winning 38 games against 28 lossess, including a rookie season in which he won 19 games, a 1.90 E.R.A., and led the league in shutouts with eight, and base on balls per 9 innings.[4]

For the 1890 season, Ben jumped to the newly created Players League, and won 19 games and lost 18 for the Philadelphia Athletics who later joined the American Association for the 1891 season.[1] He finished his career with the Louisville Colonels of the National League, playing his final game on October 14, 1892. He had a record of 12-19, but on August 22, 1892, he pitched a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles, a 62 victory, the first no-hitter in the National League which the losing team in a no-hitter scored at least one run.[5]

Post-career

Sanders died in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 65, and is interred at Sudley United Methodist Church Cemetery in his home town of Catharpin, Virginia.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Ben Sanders' Stats". retrosheet.org. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  2. James, Bill, and Rob Neyer, "The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers", pp. 372-3. Simon and Schuster, 2004. ISBN 0-7432-6158-5
  3. "Charlton's 1888 Chronology". baseballlibrary.com. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  4. "Ben Sanders' Stats". baseball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  5. "Chronological List of No-Hitters". retrosheet.org. Retrieved 2008-06-11.

External links

Achievements
Preceded by
Jack Stivetts
No-hitter pitcher
August 22, 1892
Succeeded by
Bumpus Jones