BENDER, CHARLES ALBERT

born May 5, 1883, Brainerd, Minn., U.S. died May 22, 1954, Philadelphia, Pa. byname Chief Bender American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher. Bender's mother was part Chippewa, and his childhood was spent on a reservation and at schools for native Americans. Between 1903 and 1914 he pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics, winning nearly 200 regular games and six World Series games; in 1910 and 1914 he led the American League in winning percentage. In addition to pitching, Bender occasionally played outfield or first base and pinch-hit. Bender joined the short-lived Federal League in 1915, playing for Baltimore, and in 1916 and 1917 he played for the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League. After his career as a player ended Bender worked for various teams as a scout, manager, and coach. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953.