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Dave Bennett (baseball)
Encyclopedia
David Hans Bennett is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies
. In 1963, Dave was signed as an amateur free agent (prior to the establishment of the Major League Draft).
The lanky right-hander had one big league appearance, pitching just one inning in relief (the 9th), on the ill-fated 1964 Phillies
team. His older brother (and Phillies teammate), Dennis Bennett
, a southpaw who had preceded him to the major leagues, was the Phils' starting moundsman that day, (June 12, 1964).
Dave remained in the Phillies' Minor League system, eventually being dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates
organization (with minor leaguer, Mike Everett), for catcher Del Bates
, on January 28, 1970.
Although Dave only played in that one MLB
game, he is well-remembered for two unusual reasons:
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. In 1963, Dave was signed as an amateur free agent (prior to the establishment of the Major League Draft).
The lanky right-hander had one big league appearance, pitching just one inning in relief (the 9th), on the ill-fated 1964 Phillies
1964 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was the 82nd season for the franchise in Philadelphia. The Phillies finished in a second-place tie in the National League with the Cincinnati Reds, while posting a record of 92-70. The teams finished one game behind the NL and World Series champion St. Louis...
team. His older brother (and Phillies teammate), Dennis Bennett
Dennis Bennett (baseball)
Dennis John Bennett is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , Boston Red Sox , New York Mets and California Angels...
, a southpaw who had preceded him to the major leagues, was the Phils' starting moundsman that day, (June 12, 1964).
Dave remained in the Phillies' Minor League system, eventually being dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
organization (with minor leaguer, Mike Everett), for catcher Del Bates
Del Bates
Delbert Oakley "Del" Bates was a Major League Baseball catcher. Bates played for the Philadelphia Phillies in the season. In 22 career games, he had 8 hits in 60 at-bats. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed....
, on January 28, 1970.
Although Dave only played in that one MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
game, he is well-remembered for two unusual reasons:
- On the day he made that lone game appearance (06/12/1964), the (then-) first place Phillies used two 18-year-old relief pitchers (the other being Rick WiseRick WiseRichard Charles Wise is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons...
). They (Bennett and Wise, respectively) were the fourth- and fifth-youngest players in the National League, that season. - He has attained a (virtual) cult following among sports hobbyists because of a copy error on his 1964 ToppsToppsThe Topps Company, Inc., manufactures chewing gum, candy and collectibles. Based in New York, New York, Topps is best known as a leading producer of baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, hockey cards and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.-Company history:Topps itself was...
baseball bubble gum cardBaseball cardA baseball card is a type of trading card relating to baseball, usually printed on some type of paper stock or card stock. A card will usually feature one or more baseball players or other baseball-related sports figures...
, No. 561. The ambiguous copy on his rookie cardRookie card"Rookie card" is a relatively subjective term generally referring to an athlete's first appearance on a trading card made for collectible or informational purposes...
reads, "The 19-year-old righthanded curveballer is just 18 years old!" (In another twist, this is also Wise's rookie card!!!)