September 29, 1999 20:46:20 CST
Philadelphia Star Gene Benson Dead At 85
NLB Dot Com
Staff
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Gene Benson |
Gene Benson, longtime star of the Philadelphia Stars, passed away Tuesday (April 6, 1999) in Philadelphia. A smooth fielding, reliable hitting outfielder, Benson began his professional career in 1934 with the Bacharach Giants, an eastern team that was added to the Negro National League circuit for the second half of the 1934 season. In 1937 he joined the Philadelphia Stars with whom he was to stay for the next ten seasons (excepting a momentary defection to the Pittsburgh Crawfords and Homestead Grays during the 1938 campaign).
In the Philadelphia uniform Benson consistently maintained a high batting average compiling a career average around .300. In his best season, 1946, he hit for a .370 percentage and represented the Stars in the East-West Classic. Throughout his career Benson was a fan favorite in the Philadelphia area.
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