Al Benton – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Al Benton stands out as one of baseball’s most enduring figures. He pitched for 14 seasons in the Major Leagues before hanging up his cleats in 1952.

Born John Alton Benton in Noble, Oklahoma, this towering right-hander carved out a remarkable career that spanned nearly two decades. He played for four different American League teams.

Benton earned the rare distinction of being the only pitcher in baseball history to face both Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle in Major League games, bookending his career against two of the sport’s greatest legends. His journey from a small-town Oklahoma farm boy to a two-time All-Star pitcher tells a compelling story of persistence and adaptability in professional baseball.

The 6-foot-4 pitcher’s career took him through the Philadelphia Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox. He started out as a struggling starter and eventually became one of the game’s most reliable relievers.

His story includes wartime service and personal struggles. Ultimately, his legacy extends far beyond his 98-88 career record and 3.66 ERA.

Al Benton’s Early Life and Background

Al Benton grew up in rural Oklahoma during the early 1900s. His family faced hardship after losing his father at a young age.

His path to baseball began in high school and quickly led to the minor leagues.

Birthplace and Family

John Alton Benton was born on March 18, 1911, in Noble, Oklahoma. His father, Wood Benton, worked as a farmer from Texas, while his mother Annie was a native of Oklahoma.

Al had two older brothers, Ralph and Ray. The family faced tragedy when Wood Benton died while Al was still young.

Annie had to raise all three boys on her own. The Benton family lived in a farming community during a time when rural Oklahoma was still developing.

Al attended public school in nearby Wayne, Oklahoma. He completed his education through the 11th grade.

Growing up without a father, the family had to work hard to get by. Annie Benton took on the responsibility of supporting her three sons during tough times in rural Oklahoma.

Path to Professional Baseball

Al’s baseball career started during his single year of high school baseball in Wayne, Oklahoma. After finishing high school, he played one year of semipro baseball to develop his skills.

He joined the Lincoln Links in the Class-D Nebraska State League in 1931. The tall right-handed pitcher stood 6 feet 4 inches and weighed 215 pounds.

He pitched 142 innings that first season, finishing with a record of 8-7 and a 6.15 ERA. Benton also appeared in seven games for the Class-A Western League’s Oklahoma City Indians that year.

He posted a 2-1 record with a 5.34 ERA in this higher level of competition. In February 1933, while still working on his professional career, Benton married Moneta Richardson.

He continued to pitch for Oklahoma City, working over 200 innings in both the 1932 and 1933 seasons.

MLB Career Overview

Al Benton played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball. He compiled a 98-88 record with a 3.66 ERA across four American League teams.

His career spanned from 1934 to 1952. He took notable breaks for military service during World War II.

Debut with Philadelphia Athletics

Benton made his MLB debut on April 18, 1934, with the Philadelphia Athletics at age 23. He faced the New York Yankees in his first appearance, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs.

His rookie season showed promise with a 7-9 record and 4.88 ERA across 32 games. The 6’4” right-hander started 21 games and completed 7 of them.

He struck out 58 batters in 155 innings. The 1935 season proved challenging for Benton.

His ERA ballooned to 7.70 with a 3-4 record in 27 appearances. He struggled with control, giving up 110 hits in just 78.1 innings pitched.

The Athletics released Benton after the disappointing 1935 campaign. He spent two seasons in the minor leagues, then returned to the majors with Detroit.

Detroit Tigers Tenure

Benton joined the Detroit Tigers in 1938. This move kicked off the most successful stretch of his career.

He posted a 5-3 record with a 3.30 ERA in 19 games, showing improved control and effectiveness. His 1941 season became a career highlight.

Benton went 15-6 with a 2.97 ERA, earning All-Star selection and finishing 19th in MVP voting. He worked both as a starter and reliever, saving 7 games while completing 7 starts.

In 1942, Benton made his second All-Star team. He posted a 7-13 record but kept a strong 2.90 ERA in 35 games.

His 226.2 innings pitched represented his highest single-season total. Military service interrupted Benton’s career in 1943-1944 as he served in the US Navy.

He returned in 1945 with outstanding results, going 13-8 with a 2.02 ERA and 5 shutouts. Benton’s Detroit tenure ended after the 1948 season.

He finished with the Tigers having posted his best statistical years. He established himself as a reliable pitcher.

Time with Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians signed Benton in 1949. He transitioned primarily to relief work at age 38.

He proved his value with a 9-6 record and an exceptional 2.12 ERA in 40 games. His effectiveness out of the bullpen surprised many observers.

Benton saved 10 games while making 11 starts, showing his versatility. He allowed just 116 hits in 135.2 innings pitched.

The 1950 season brought continued success in a reduced role. Benton appeared in 36 games, all in relief except for emergencies.

His 3.57 ERA and 4 saves helped the Indians’ pitching staff. Cleveland released Benton after the 1950 season.

His two-year stint with the Indians showed he could still contribute effectively despite his advancing age.

Final Years and Retirement

Benton sat out the 1951 season. He then signed with the Boston Red Sox for his final campaign.

At age 41, he made 24 appearances exclusively in relief during 1952. His final season showed flashes of his old effectiveness.

Benton posted a 2.39 ERA with 6 saves in 37.2 innings. He struck out 20 batters while walking 17.

Benton’s last game came on September 21, 1952, against Washington. He pitched one inning, allowing one hit with no walks or strikeouts.

The veteran right-hander retired after the season. His 14-year career included 455 games, 66 saves, and 58 complete games.

Benton’s longevity and adaptability allowed him to succeed across multiple decades of baseball.

Key Achievements and Impact

Al Benton earned two All-Star selections during his 14-year career and served his country during World War II. He became one of the American League’s most reliable pitchers, helping the Detroit Tigers win pennants in 1940 and 1945.

All-Star Recognition

Benton earned All-Star honors in both 1941 and 1942. Those years marked the peak of his major league career.

In 1941, he posted a 15-9 record with a 2.97 ERA while splitting time between starting and relief duties. His 1942 All-Star performance stood out.

He pitched the final five innings of the game, replacing Spud Chandler and allowing just one run. The American League won 3-1, and Benton picked up the save.

During this two-year stretch, Benton established himself as one of the American League’s most versatile pitchers. He demonstrated rare ability to excel both as a starter and reliever.

His 1942 season saw his ERA improve to 2.90 despite a 7-13 record.

World War II Military Service

Benton joined the United States Navy after the 1942 season. He missed the complete 1943 and 1944 campaigns.

He returned in April 1945 to rejoin the Detroit Tigers, discharged due to migraine headaches. His military service included playing baseball for the Navy.

Reports say he won 39 games during his two years of service. Benton’s return to baseball proved remarkable.

Despite two years away from major league competition, he posted a 2.02 ERA and 13-8 record in 1945. His ERA ranked second in the American League that season.

The Tigers won the World Series in 1945. Benton appeared in three games against the Chicago Cubs, working 4⅔ innings and allowing just one run.

Leadership in American League

Benton led the American League with 17 saves in 1940. He helped the Tigers win their first pennant since 1935.

Manager Del Baker praised his relief work, saying the team “never could have won the pennant without him.” Benton’s career spanned 98 wins and 88 losses across 455 games.

He holds the unique distinction of facing both Babe Ruth in 1934 and Mickey Mantle in 1952. The right-hander’s versatility made him valuable throughout his career.

He successfully transitioned from starter to reliever multiple times, adapting to team needs across four different franchises.

Pitching Performance and Statistics

Al Benton compiled a respectable 98-88 record with a 3.66 ERA across 14 major league seasons. His 697 career strikeouts and 66 saves show his effectiveness in multiple pitching roles.

Career Wins and ERA

Benton finished his career with 98 wins and 88 losses, achieving a .527 winning percentage. His career ERA of 3.66 placed him slightly above average for his era.

His most dominant season came in 1945. He posted a remarkable 2.02 ERA in 191.2 innings.

That year, he went 13-8 with five shutouts and three saves for Detroit. Benton’s best winning percentage season happened in 1941.

He went 15-6 with a 2.97 ERA, earning his first All-Star selection. This performance helped establish him as a key member of Detroit’s pitching staff.

He struggled early in his career with Philadelphia. In 1935, he posted a career-worst 7.70 ERA in limited action.

However, his move to Detroit in 1938 turned things around for him.

Strikeouts and Saves

Benton accumulated 697 strikeouts over his 14-year career. His highest single-season total came in 1942 when he struck out 110 batters in 226.2 innings pitched.

He recorded 66 saves throughout his career. His best season for saves was 1940.

That year, he led the American League with 17 saves while working mainly as a reliever for Detroit. Benton’s strikeout rate averaged 3.7 per nine innings.

That might not sound impressive today, but it was respectable for pitchers of his era. His save totals reflect his versatility as both a starter and reliever.

He recorded saves in 10 of his 14 seasons. That’s some consistent late-inning work.

Role as Starter and Reliever

Benton made 167 starts and 172 relief appearances during his career. This nearly even split showcases his adaptability between different pitching roles.

He completed 58 games as a starter, including 10 shutouts. His 1942 season featured nine complete games in 30 starts, highlighting his durability.

As a reliever, Benton appeared in 172 games out of the bullpen. His ability to pitch multiple innings made him valuable in both short and long relief situations.

His military service from 1943-1944 interrupted his prime years. When he returned in 1945, he slipped right back into Detroit’s rotation and posted one of his best seasons.

Notable Seasons and Team Contributions

Benton’s career peaked during the early 1940s with the Detroit Tigers. He made two All-Star teams and became a key contributor to the team’s success.

His post-war return in 1945 marked another strong period before his career gradually wound down.

1940 and 1941 Highlights

Benton established himself as a reliable pitcher for the Detroit Tigers during these seasons. He worked primarily as a reliever but also made occasional starts.

In 1940, Benton posted solid numbers that caught the attention of American League managers. His versatility proved valuable to the Tigers’ pitching staff.

The 1941 season marked Benton’s first All-Star selection. He earned this honor through consistent performance throughout the first half of the season.

His ability to pitch effectively in multiple roles made him an asset to Detroit’s roster. Benton could handle both relief duties and spot starts when injuries affected the rotation.

1942 All-Star Season

Benton picked up his second straight All-Star nod in 1942. That put him right up there with the best pitchers in the American League.

He really showed what he could do that season. Benton kept his control sharp and commanded his pitches well.

The All-Star honor made it clear he was one of the Tigers’ most dependable arms. He played a big part in Detroit staying competitive in the AL standings.

This was the peak of Benton’s MLB career. His steady work helped him earn respect from other pitchers around the league.

Post-War Comeback

Benton spent 1943 and 1944 serving in the U.S. Navy, then came back to the Detroit Tigers in 1945. He left the military in November 1944.

That 1945 season turned out to be one of his best. Benton didn’t look rusty at all and made a real difference for the Tigers.

His post-war performance kept Detroit in the mix in the American League. Benton’s experience helped the team adjust after the war.

The veteran pitcher stuck with the Tigers through 1948, then moved on to other teams. Those years stretched his career well into his thirties.

Post-Retirement Life and Legacy

Al Benton’s life after baseball didn’t go as smoothly as his pitching career. He ran into personal struggles and some legal trouble.

Still, he carved out a unique place in baseball history. Benton stands alone as the only pitcher to face both Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle.

Transition from Baseball

Benton retired from pro baseball in 1953 and had a tough time finding steady work. He sold cars in Los Angeles for a while during the late 1950s.

His later years got complicated with legal problems. In 1957, authorities indicted him for driving a stolen car from Sacramento to Oklahoma City.

He ran when FBI agents found him at a Pontiac, Michigan hotel, but police caught up with him in Salinas, California. Detroit police also wanted to talk to him about forged checks.

His lawyer worked out the forgery charges in 1958 by paying $150 in restitution.

Later, Benton managed the Southern Motel in Lynwood, California. On April 14, 1968, he died at St. Francis Hospital after suffering severe burns in an accidental explosion at the motel.

He was 57. His wife, Moneta, survived him.

Influence on Future Players

Benton influenced baseball in ways that went beyond the numbers. His time as a relief pitcher helped show how valuable the bullpen could be in modern baseball.

During his best years in Detroit, manager Del Baker said Benton was crucial to the team. Baker put it plainly, “We never could have won the pennant without him. He saved game after game where he didn’t pitch an entire inning.”

Notable Achievement: Benton led the American League with 17 saves in 1940, helping make saves an important stat for relief pitchers.

His career connected different eras of baseball. Benton pitched to legends from several generations, and that gave him a rare view of how the game changed through the 1930s and 1940s.

Honors and Remembrance

Benton carves out a unique spot in baseball history as the only pitcher who faced both Babe Ruth in 1934 and Mickey Mantle in 1952. That’s a wild stretch—almost two decades—of Major League Baseball.

He took the mound against legends like Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Ted Williams too. Gehrig and DiMaggio actually hit a total of five home runs off Benton during their careers.

All-Star Recognition: Benton made the All-Star team in both 1941 and 1942. In the 1942 All-Star Game, he pitched five innings and picked up a save as the American League won 3-1.

Here’s a quick look at his career stats:

• 98-88 record with a 3.66 ERA
• 66 saves across 14 seasons
• 10 shutouts out of 58 complete games

Benton faced some tough times after he retired, but honestly, his baseball achievements still stand out in the sport’s history.