Charlie Atherton
From BR Bullpen
Charles Morgan Herbert Atherton
(Prexy)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 160 lb.
- School Pennsylvania State University
- Debut May 30, 1899
- Final Game August 22, 1899
- Born November 19, 1873 in New Brunswick, NJ USA
- Died December 17, 1934 in Vienna, Austria
[edit] Biographical Information
Charley Atherton played in the majors in 1899. His minor league career ran from at least 1894 through 1907, and he managed a couple of times in the minors.
He was usually called Charles or Charley rather than Charlie.
Although he played in only 63 games at third base in his only big league season, Atherton committed 26 errors. He wasn't even the worst fielding third baseman on the team however - in 62 games at third base, for example, Win Mercer committed 30 errors. Perhaps the epitome of poor fielding at third base however was Jack O'Brien, who in just four games at third base committed six errors for a .714 fielding percentage.
In 1896 Atherton broke his nose while playing on a football team. In 1900 he was said to be teaching chemistry. It was reported in 1902 that he inherited $50,000 - but would continue to play ball. In March 1908 a new league called the "Union League" was being formed, and Atherton was chosen to be the captain of the club in Washington, D.C.
He died in Vienna, Austria, in 1934 and was buried there in the city's central cemetery.
"Charley Atherton is playing an organ in a Buffalo church every Sunday. He is also practicing daily with a view of finishing his musical education." - Sporting Life, Dec. 31, 1904
"Charley Atherton has done some star work with the cue at McGraw's billiard parlor, and Christy Mathewson has been among his many victims." - Sporting Life, Jan. 9, 1909
