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Bob Bescher
From BR Bullpen
Robert Henry Bescher
- Bats Both, Throws Left
- Height 6' 1", Weight 200 lb.
- School University of Notre Dame, Wittenberg College
- Debut September 5, 1908
- Final Game September 1, 1918
- Born February 25, 1884 in London, OH USA
- Died November 29, 1942 in London, OH USA
[edit] Biographical Information
" . . . the greatest of modern base runners." - Sporting Life of November 13, 1909
Bob Bescher, who played 11 seasons in the big leagues, led the National League in stolen bases four years in a row 1909-1912. He also led the league in runs scored in 1912 and walks in 1913.
His speed was accomplished in spite of being one of the larger players of his day.
Bob was born, and died, in London, OH although he attended high school in Massachusetts. Quite a few major leaguers were born in Ohio in 1884, of which only one had more at-bats than Bescher, that one being Burt Shotton. Bescher spent some time at University of Notre Dame and then Wittenberg University.
He began playing minor league ball at age 22, spending three years playing for Ohio-based teams before coming to the majors with the Ohio-based 1908 Cincinnati Reds in September 1908. Except in 1917, his major league Adjusted OPS was always over 100 each season.
None of Bob's major league teams ever went to the World Series (although some finished second in the league) so Bob never appeared in the Series.
In 1909 he played football, raising concern on his baseball team's ownership that he would be injured. In 1914 he was again playing football, this time with a semi-pro team.
After his major league days Bob played in the minors through 1925.
Bescher was killed in an automobile-train crash in 1942.
