Doc Bennett

Elmer S. "Doc" Bennett (February 1, 1891 in Ruyle, Illinois, U.S. – March 31, 1974 in Hollywood, California, U.S.) was an American minor league baseball pitcher and player, who later became a very successful minor league manager, leading five teams to league championships in 13 years of managing. He spent much of his career as a player-manager.

He later spent time as a major league scout.

Playing career His playing career spanned from 1920 to 1932, although he played in only seven of those seasons - he did not play in 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927 or 1931. He played in 160 games in his career, hitting around .253. In those years, he met and worked with Red Ruffing, helping him transition into a pitcher. He also helped Ruffing sign his first professional contract.

Managing career Bennett's first foray into managing was in 1923, with the Cairo Egyptians of the KITTY League. He replaced Jack Herbert and was one of two managers for the Egyptians that season.

He would not manage again until 1928, with the McCook Generals of the Nebraska State League. He led them to league championships three years in a row, from 1928 to 1930, and a second-place finish in 1931. In 1928, the team seized first place after ten games, retaining that position for the rest of the year. They finished with a five-game lead over the second place Lincoln Links. Due to his and the team's success that year, McCook led the league in attendance, and Bennett was named the All-Star team manager, along with three of his players.

In 1929, the team finished 6.5 games over the second place Fairbury Jeffersons. Although many teams were negatively affected by the 1929 Stock Market Crash in 1930, the Generals ended up having their best season, finishing 17 games over the Fairbury Jeffersons. They posted a record of 85–34.