Allen Benson Explained

Allen Benson
Position:Pitcher
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Birth Date:28 March 1905
Birth Place:Hurley, South Dakota
Death Place:Viborg, South Dakota
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:August 19
Debutyear:1934
Debutteam:Washington Senators
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:August 26
Finalyear:1934
Finalteam:Washington Senators
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:0–1
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:12.10
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:4
Teams:

Allen Wilbert Benson (March 28, 1905 – November 16, 1999), nicknamed "Bullet", was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues in 1934. He would play for the Washington Senators.

Benson played for the bearded House of David baseball team before signing with the Senators. Given the rarity of facial hair among the era's baseball players, the Senators signed Benson largely as a publicity stunt to boost attendance. He became one of very few Major League players who wore facial hair between the deadball era and the 1970s. He struggled in two games and was sent to the minor league Albany Senators. He told reporters "I believe I could have made the grade with the Nats but for these danged whiskers."[1]

Notes and References

  1. News: Allen . Scott . A brief history of Allen Benson, the 'mattress-chinned' Nats pitcher of 1934 . 29 January 2023 . . April 13, 2015.