Benny Bengough

Bernard Oliver "Benny" Bengough (July 27, 1898 – December 22, 1968) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played the majority of his Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the New York Yankees during the 1920s when the team garnered the nickname of Murderers' Row, due to their potent batting lineup. He played the final two seasons of his career with the St. Louis Browns.

Baseball career Born in Niagara Falls, New York, Bengough was a graduate of Niagara University. He began his professional baseball career at the age of 18 with the Buffalo Bisons of the International League in 1917. After having played for six seasons in Buffalo, he made his major league debut with the Yankees on May 18, 1923 at the age of 24. He had a close friendship with teammate Babe Ruth, both on and off the field. In 1926, Bengough developed a recurring throwing arm injury and the ailment would keep him from playing in the 1926 World Series. He began to play regularly late in the 1928 season and started in all four games of the 1928 World Series, as the Yankees swept the St. Louis Cardinals. He led American League catchers in 1928 with a .992 fielding percentage.

Bengough's arm injury continued to hamper him during spring training in 1929 as Bill Dickey took over as the Yankees starting catcher, going on to a successful career and eventual induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1930, the Yankees released Bengough to the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association. He became the player-manager of the Joplin Miners from 1936 to 1937 before retiring as a player at the age of 38.

Coaching career Bengough as coach of the Washington Senators, circa 1940–43. After retiring as a player, Bengough was named as a coach for the Newark Bears in December 1937. Bengough became known for entertaining spectators with his humor from the coaching box. He would often remove his cap to reveal his bald head and then run his fingers through his imaginary hair.

Later life In 1959, Bengough was named as the head of the Junior Baseball Federation of Philadelphia which raised funds for under-privileged children. He died of a heart attack in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 22, 1968, at age 70.