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

Alfred Lee “Butch” Benton stands out as one of baseball’s more intriguing stories—his journey is a real example of potential meeting reality. The New York Mets picked him sixth overall in the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft, and his professional career stretched across a decade before it wrapped up in 1985.

Benton played in the majors from 1978 to 1985, suiting up for three teams and ending up with a .162 batting average over 51 games as a catcher. He never hit a home run in the big leagues and only managed 10 RBIs, but honestly, his story’s about a lot more than those numbers. Born in Tampa, he bounced between the Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians, and spent plenty of time grinding it out in the minors.

Let’s take a closer look at Benton’s path, from being a promising high school athlete in Florida to his years in pro baseball. His story gives a peek into player development, the tough climb into major league lineups, and the grit it takes to stick around in pro ball across different teams and leagues.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Alfred Lee “Butch” Benton was born on August 24, 1957, in Tampa, Florida. His family later moved to Tallahassee, and that’s where he really started to shine as a young athlete.

He stood out at Godby High School, playing both football and baseball, and eventually faced a tough decision between two possible futures.

Childhood in Tampa, Florida

Butch Benton came into the world as Alfred Lee Benton in Tampa, Florida, in late August 1957. He spent his early years in the Tampa Bay area before his family packed up and headed for Tallahassee.

The move to Florida’s capital turned out to be a big deal for his athletic growth. Getting exposed to new coaches and tougher competition definitely shaped his career.

Growing up in Florida meant Benton could play baseball year-round. The state’s baseball culture and warm weather helped him keep working on his game all through his youth.

People noticed his talent pretty early. Benton looked like a natural behind the plate, with a strong arm and some leadership that caught the eyes of major league scouts.

Godby High School Athletic Career

At Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee, Benton became a standout in both baseball and football. Scouts and recruiters from all over the state took notice of his versatility.

On the baseball field, he made his mark as a catcher. His defense and way of working with pitchers set him apart, and his strong arm didn’t hurt either.

Football-wise, Benton was just as impressive. He had the size, speed, and athleticism to draw interest from college programs.

Key Athletic Achievements:

• Starred as catcher on Godby High School baseball team
• Standout football player with college scholarship potential
• Attracted attention from major league baseball scouts
• Demonstrated leadership qualities in both sports

Decision to Pursue Baseball Over Football

In the 1975 MLB Draft, the New York Mets picked Benton sixth overall. That was a huge vote of confidence from the pros.

He also had a football scholarship offer from the University of Florida, so the choice wasn’t easy. Go straight to pro baseball, or take the safer route through college football?

Benton chose to sign with the Mets. That decision showed he was all-in on baseball, even though college could’ve given him a backup plan.

Being the sixth overall pick put him among the top prospects in that draft. His choice to skip college and head straight to the pros said a lot about his belief in himself and his baseball ambitions.

That moment set the course for everything that followed.

Professional Career Overview

Butch Benton’s major league career lasted seven seasons, from 1978 to 1985, with him catching for three different teams. The Mets had high hopes when they drafted him, but he never quite locked down a starting spot.

Entry Into Major League Baseball

Alfred Lee “Butch” Benton jumped into pro ball as a top prospect from Godby High School. The New York Mets grabbed him with the sixth overall pick in 1975.

He passed on a football scholarship to the University of Florida and started working his way up through the Mets’ minor league system. Benton spent four seasons developing before he finally got his major league debut.

During his time in the minors, Benton hit .275, smacked 22 home runs, and drove in 189 runs. Those numbers earned him a September call-up in 1978, when he was just 21.

He made his MLB debut on September 14, 1978, pinch-hitting for Roy Lee Jackson against the Montreal Expos. Benton picked up his first big league hit on October 1, 1978—a single off Lynn McGlothen that drove in a run during a 5-3 win over the Cubs.

Position and Playing Style

Benton played catcher throughout his big league career. He hit and threw right-handed, stood 6’1″, and weighed about 190 pounds.

Behind the plate, Benton posted a .959 fielding percentage in the majors. He threw out 28% of base stealers, which showed he had a decent arm.

His offense, though, just never really clicked. He finished his MLB days with a .162 batting average and never hit a home run in 51 games.

Teams used him as a pinch hitter and pinch runner sometimes, not just as a catcher. That flexibility probably helped him hang around rosters even though he struggled at the plate.

Career Timeline and Team Transitions

Benton spent time with three MLB teams from 1978 to 1985:

New York Mets (1978, 1980)

• Debuted as a September call-up in 1978
• Returned briefly in 1980 as a backup catcher
• Went 3-for-25 in 16 games with the Mets

Chicago Cubs (1982)

• Mets traded him before the 1981 season
• Got a September call-up in 1982 after a strong minor league year
• Picked up one hit in seven at-bats over four games

Cleveland Indians (1985)

• Joined the Indians after stops in the Montreal and Detroit systems
• Saw his most playing time—31 games
• Hit his first extra-base knock on April 27, 1985, a double off Scott McGregor

He played his last MLB game on June 15, 1985, with the Indians. Benton tried to come back in 1991 with the Toledo Mud Hens, but after hitting just .133 in nine games, he called it a career.

Major League Baseball Tenure

Butch Benton’s MLB run covered seven seasons between 1978 and 1985, but he only got into 51 games for three teams. He mostly served as a backup catcher with the Mets, Cubs, and Indians.

New York Mets Years

Benton made his debut on September 14, 1978, pinch-hitting for Roy Lee Jackson against the Expos. He flew out to center in that first at-bat.

He didn’t get much playing time during that first call-up. In September, he appeared in a handful of games, including one where Mike Krukow hit him with a pitch as a pinch hitter.

On October 1, 1978, Benton got his first MLB hit—a single off Lynn McGlothen at Wrigley Field, driving in a run against the Cubs. He added another RBI single off Dave Geisel in the ninth inning, helping the Mets win 5-3.

Benton spent all of 1979 with triple-A Tidewater, then came back to the majors in 1980. He got called up when both John Stearns and Ron Hodges went down with injuries.

That second shot didn’t go well. Benton only managed one hit in 21 at-bats while backing up Alex Trevino.

Chicago Cubs Stint

The Mets traded Benton to the Cubs before the 1981 season. He spent most of that year with the triple-A Iowa Cubs, batting just .202.

In 1982, Benton had his best minor league season, hitting .330 with 11 homers and 57 RBIs for Iowa. That earned him a September call-up.

He only played four games with the Cubs and went 1-for-7. His only hit came against his old team, the Mets, on September 22, 1982.

Cleveland Indians Period

After stops in the Montreal and Philadelphia systems, Benton signed with the Indians for 1985. The team went into spring training with three catchers: Benton, Jerry Willard, and Chris Bando.

On April 27, 1985, Benton finally picked up his first extra-base hit in the majors—a double off Scott McGregor. Later that inning, he singled off Tippy Martinez for his second RBI.

He started strong in April, batting .250 with three RBIs. Compared to Willard and Bando, who went 5-for-50 with two RBIs that month, Benton looked solid.

May started well too, with a 2-for-3 game against Texas on May 4. But after that, he went just 5-for-40, which pretty much ended his run as a starter.

When Willard came back from injury, the Indians sent Benton down to triple-A on June 15, 1985. That was his last MLB appearance. He wrapped up with a .162 average, no homers, and 10 RBIs in 51 games.

Minor Leagues and Other Professional Play

Benton spent the bulk of his 12-year pro career in the minors, moving through different levels from 1975 to 1985, and even making a brief comeback try in 1991. He logged plenty of Triple-A time with teams like Tidewater and Iowa, had productive years with the Wichita Aeros, and finished up with the Toledo Mud Hens.

Triple A Experiences

Benton kicked off his Triple-A career in 1977 with the Tidewater Tides, but only got one at-bat that year. He returned in 1979 and 1980, struggling to hit .198 in 1979 but bumping that up to .263 in 1980.

His best Triple-A season came with the Iowa Cubs in 1982. He hit .330 with 11 homers and 57 RBIs in 85 games, which got him back to the majors with Chicago.

Later, he spent brief spells with Maine in 1985 and Evansville in 1984. In Evansville, he batted .280 with 6 homers while playing for the Detroit Tigers organization.

Wichita Aeros and Other Affiliates

Benton joined the Wichita Aeros in 1983, playing in the Montreal Expos system. That year turned out to be one of his best in the minors.

He played 125 games for Wichita, batting .298 with 29 doubles and 9 homers. He drove in 51 runs and hardly missed a game.

Benton adapted well to new teams and organizations. After years in the Mets system, he managed to fit in with different coaching staffs and teammates as his career went on.

Toledo Mud Hens and Late-Career Moves

Benton made his last pro appearance with the Toledo Mud Hens in 1991. At 33, he tried to make a comeback after six years away from the game.

He only lasted nine games in Toledo, struggling to a .133 average with 4 hits in 30 at-bats. He struck out 9 times in 31 plate appearances.

After that rough stretch with the Detroit Tigers affiliate, the team released him and Benton retired for good. That short stint in Toledo closed the book on his 12-season pro career, which saw him suit up for a bunch of organizations at all sorts of minor league levels.

Senior Professional Baseball Association and Retirement

After his major league career ended in 1985, Butch Benton managed to find a new spark in the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He joined the St. Petersburg Pelicans in 1990.

His championship victory with the Pelicans gave him enough motivation for one final comeback attempt. In 1991, he tried his luck with the Toledo Mud Hens before his permanent retirement from baseball.

St. Petersburg Pelicans Highlights

Benton joined the St. Petersburg Pelicans of the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1990. This league let former major leaguers over 35 get back on the field.

The Pelicans actually became the championship team in the league’s only full season. That win meant a lot for Benton, especially since he’d struggled to find his place in the majors.

The Senior Professional Baseball Association only lasted one complete season. It featured a bunch of guys who just weren’t ready to hang up their spikes after the big leagues.

Benton’s time with the Pelicans felt like a reset. He could just play, without worrying about competing against a bunch of young prospects.

Performance in the SPBA

The Senior Professional Baseball Association gave Benton real playing time as a catcher. His experience and baseball smarts helped the Pelicans win the title.

Playing for St. Petersburg helped Benton find his confidence again. The league’s structure let him play a real role on a winning team.

The SPBA championship was Benton’s first professional title. That stood out, considering his major league career was mostly backup duty.

He showed with the Pelicans that he still had some skills left. That win proved he could compete with other former big leaguers.

Final Retirement from Baseball

After that championship, Benton decided to give it one more shot in 1991. At 33, he signed on with the Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate.

Things didn’t go well in Toledo. Benton hit just .133 in nine games with the Mud Hens.

The Toledo front office released him soon after. That basically ended his professional baseball journey.

Benton retired from baseball for good after leaving the Mud Hens. His last pro at-bat came 13 years after he first suited up for the New York Mets back in 1978.

His career covered a lot of ground and a bunch of different teams. Going from a first-round draft pick to a senior league champ, Benton really saw it all.

Career Achievements and Legacy

Butch Benton’s seven-year Major League Baseball career didn’t light up the stat sheets, but his later work in golf and community service really shaped his lasting impact. His story shows both the tough parts of pro sports and how you can build a meaningful life after the last pitch.

Batting Average and Key Statistics

Benton put up a .162 batting average in 51 major league games between 1978 and 1985. He collected 16 hits in 99 at-bats, with 0 home runs and 10 RBIs.

His best stretch came in 1985 with Cleveland. On April 27, he finally got his first extra-base hit—a double and RBI off Scott McGregor. He even added a single and another RBI that same inning.

Benton did better in the minors. In 1982 with the Iowa Cubs, he hit .330 with 11 home runs and 57 RBIs. During four years in the Mets’ farm system, he managed a .275 average, 22 home runs, and 189 RBIs.

The Mets picked him sixth overall in the 1975 MLB Draft. He became the sixth-youngest player in the National League as a rookie in 1978.

Post-Retirement Activities and Influence

After baseball, Benton switched gears and got into professional golf. He joined the PGA from 2007 to 2015 and now serves as general manager at Red Tail Golf Club in Central Florida.

He stays involved with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. You’ll often find him at charity events with other retired players.

In 1990, Benton played for the St. Petersburg Pelicans in the Senior Professional Baseball Association. His team won the championship during the league’s only full season.

He tried a comeback in 1991 with the Toledo Mud Hens at age 33. After batting .133 in nine games, he was released and officially retired from professional baseball.

Personal Life and Values

Benton married Linn Abshier in 1996. They live in Ocala, Florida.

Together, they’ve raised nine children and now have a bunch of grandchildren. Honestly, that says a lot about how much Benton values family.

He was born in Tampa, Florida, on August 24, 1957. Later, he attended Godby High School in Tallahassee.

He played football and baseball there. Instead of taking a football scholarship to the University of Florida, he chose to sign with the Mets when they drafted him.

You can see his perseverance throughout his career. Even when he didn’t have much major league success, he kept playing for organizations like the Cubs, Indians, Expos, Phillies, and Tigers.

After baseball, Benton moved into golf management and got involved in his community. He brought the same kind of discipline from his athletic days into these new roles.