Nate Berkenstock
From BR Bullpen
Nathan Berkenstock
- Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
- Height Unknown, Wheight Unknown
- Debut October 30, 1871
- Final Game October 30, 1871
- Born 1831 in Pennsylvania USA
- Died February 23, 1900 in Philadelphia, PA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Nathan Berkenstock was a baseball pioneer who co-founded the amateur Philadelphia Athletics, served as an officer of the club, and played for them. At age 40, he played one game of professional ball in 1871 when the 1871 Athletics were part of the new National Association.
His one professional game occurred on October 30, 1871 against the Chicago White Stockings in the last game of the season, with the teams in the running for the first league championship. The game took place in Brooklyn, and was the closest Chicago got to a home game in recent memory since their stadium burnt down earlier in the season during the Great Chicago Fire.
Berkenstock debuted in professional ball at the tender age of 40, making him the oldest player in major league baseball at the time (assuming the National Association is considered a major league), saving player-manager Harry Wright of the Boston Red Stockings from spending the whole season with the honor. He made three put-outs in right field, including making the final out of the game, but went zero for four at the plate, striking out three times.
The Athletics won the game (and the Championship) 4-1.
Berkenstock played only because Count Sensenderfer had injured his knee. RF George Bechtel moved to CF to replace Sensenderfer and Berkenstock was added to replace Bechtel in right.
Born in 1831, Berkenstock is the owner of the unbreakable record of being first major league baseball player born. He is also one of the first known Jewish players to play Major League baseball (if one is to consider the NA as a major league, a point of controversy).
A SABR report indicates he served in the Civil War for two weeks. He enlisted in 1862 and was mustered out two weeks later.
