CHIEF BENDER'S BURDEN- A REVIEW

by Max Silberman

Connie Mack was once asked if he had to select one pitcher to pitch one game, who would be his choice. With such pitchers as Lefty Grove, Rube Waddell and Eddie Plank, all great southpaws, Mack instead named right hander Albert "Chief" Bender!

Bender pitched for the A's from 1902 until 1914. He went to the Federal League in 1915 before returning to Philadelphia in 1916 and 1917, this time for the National League Phillies. In 1925 he pitched one game for the Chicago White Sox. In 1953 he was elected to the Hall of Fame.

Long time A's Society member Tom Swift, a resident of Minnesota, has always taken particular interest in Bender who also hailed from Minnesota. Bender's climb to success was not easy, given the prejudice that existed against Native Americans. Swift has just completed a 339 page book " Chief Bender's Burden" which tells of Bender's journey from the White Earth Reservation to the Carlisle Indian School ( also attended by Jim Thorpe) and his discovery by Connie Mack who was blessed with a great eye for young talent.

The book will be a delightful read for A's fans of the great pitcher who was a huge part of the first two A's dyanasties.

More information can be found at:

WWW.CHIEFBENDERSBURDEN.COM