Heinie Beckendorf

Henry Ward "Heinie" Beckendorf (June 15, 1884 – September 15, 1949) was an American professional baseball catcher from 1903 to 1912. He played Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers in 1909 and 1910 and for the Washington Senators in 1910.

Playing career

Early years Beckendorf was born in 1884 in New York, New York. In 1905, he helped Kingston win the Hudson River League pennant.

In May 1906, after gaining his release from Kingston, Beckendorf signed with the Providence Grays of the Eastern League. He split the remainder of the 1906 season with the Grays and the Newark Sailors of the Eastern League. He helped Scranton win the New York State League pennant and was presented with a silver shaving set by his Scranton admirers.

Major League Baseball

Detroit Tigers At the end of July 1908, Beckendorf was purchased from Scranton by the Detroit Tigers with the condition that he would report to Detroit in the spring. In November 1908, Sporting Life reported on Connie Mack's offer to purchase Beckendorf from Detroit: "Beckendorf, the other new catcher, so strongly impressed Connie Mack that he offered the Tigers $2,500 in cash and might have gone higher had there been any use. Mr. Mack told a local man that never in his experience had he seen a catcher get more out of his pitchers than this man Beckendorf did in a long examination he underwent, with the eye of that master looking on."

Beckendorf signed a contract with the Tigers in January 1909. At the time, Detroit Free Press writer Joe S. Jackson wrote: "The dope on Beckendorf for last year's work would indicate that he is something of a horse. He looks like a man who would thrive on hard labor." The Sporting Life called Beckendorf one of "the highest-touted backstops who have broken into fast company in recent years." In March 1909, the same publication reported on Beckendorf's prospects as follows:"Beckendorf in particular seems to have the making of a sure big leaguer. While his batting does not promise much, he has learned considerable from Hughey Jennings in this respect. His throwing is sensational, his demeanor behind the bat inspiring and his fleetness of foot considerable in a chap so stockily built. In general appearance he reminds one very much of Spencer, of Boston, as he looked when he first entered the league. At that time, it will be recalled, he had the build of a strong, sturdy youngster, the rolls of adipose tissue for which he has been of late noted having been added as the accompaniment of play in the big league."

Beckendorf made his major league debut with the Tigers on April 16, 1909. He appeared in 15 games for the 1909 Tigers, compiling a .259 batting average in 27 at bats. Although the Tigers won the American League pennant in 1909, there is no record of Beckendorf having appeared in the 1909 World Series. He appeared in only three games for the 1910 Tigers, compiling a .429 batting average in seven at bats. He appeared in 37 games for the 1910 Senators and compiled a .146 batting average in 103 at bats. Beckendorf reportedly caught three of the eight shutouts thrown by Walter Johnson in 1910. In August 1910, Beckendorf's "right thumb was badly damaged by one of Dolly Gray's fast ones." Beckendorf tried to come back, but re-injured his thumb in the first inning of a game pitched by Walter Johnson. Sporting Life noted that "Henry's hands were hardly equal to the punishment inflicted by Johnson's speed."

Major league totals In 55 major league games (53 as a catcher), Beckendorf compiled a .182 batting average with no home runs and 13 RBIs. His talent as a catcher brought him to the major leagues. His 1910 fielding percentage of .988 was 20 points above league average, and his range factor of 6.39 was 25 points higher than league average. However, he was not a strong batter; his 1910 batting average of .146 was 81 points below league average, and his .173 slugging percentage was 143 points lower than league average.

Minor leagues Beckendorf reverted to the Detroit Tigers after the 1910 season. He attended spring training with the Tigers in 1911. He reported overweight but lost 16 pounds during the spring. E. A. Batchelor of the Detroit Free Press wrote at the time that Beckendorf led everyone "in ginger," was a mimic of manager Hughie Jennings' voice, entertained all with his diving stunts in the pool, and was "the personification of pepper and hard work."

Nevertheless, Beckendorf did not make the Tigers roster and was sent to the Buffalo Bisons of the Eastern League for the 1911 season. In 1912, he played for the Providence Grays in the International League.

Family and death On January 6, 1910, Beckendorf was married to Rose Mallon of Columbus Avenue, New York City. The two were childhood friends in New York. At the time, the Detroit Free Press reported that news of the wedding cast a "pall of gloom ... or be it known that Mr. Beckendorf is there strong with the fair sex, and was much admired of many of Detroit's fairest daughters." At the time of the 1920 U.S. Census, the couple was living on 96th Street in Manhattan; Beckendorf listed his profession at the time as "none."

Beckendorf died in 1949 at age 65 in Jackson Heights, New York. He was buried at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.