George Bechtel
From BR Bullpen
George A. Bechtel
- Bats: Unknown, Throws: Unknown
- Height: 5' 11", Weight: 165 lb.
- Debut May 20, 1871
- Final Game 1876
- Born 1848 in Philadelphia, PA USA
- Died Unknown
[edit] Biographical Information
George Bechtel played for West Philadelphia (1867); Philadelphia Geary (1867-1868); Philadelphia Keystones (1868-1869); Philadelphia Athletics (1870); Philadelphia Athletics (1871;1875); the New York Mutuals (1872;1876); the Philadelphia Whites (1873-1874); Philadelphia Centennials (1875); and the Louisville Grays (1876).
He was an above-average player in the National Association, and hit .351 on the 1871 Philadelphia Athletics who won the pennant. He occasionally placed in the top 10 in various offensive categories in other years as well. However, he didn't play well in 1876, the first year of the National League.
Together with Bill Craver, Bechtel was part of the first ever baseball "transaction" as we understand the term today, when the pair were traded a few blocks away to the 1875 Athletics to replace injured players Dave Eggler and Wes Fisler in exchange for $1,500. Unlike modern teams, however, the trade was merely a money grab, and the Centennials promptly folded after the transaction.
On 10 June 1876 Bechtel of the Louisville Grays wired teammate Jim Devlin a message stating "We can make $500 if you lose the game today." The Louisville team found out about the wire and Bechtel was banned.
Although others had been banned before, they had all been reinstated before Bechtel's banning. He never suited up again. Thus, he becomes the first permanently blacklisted player.
He holds the career record for most innings pitched (42) without surrendering a single walk.
