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Joe "Butcher Boy" Benz
The Batesville Area Historical Society was treated to an interesting
presentation by Bob Hunteman on the major league baseball career of Joe
"Butcher Boy" Benz, pitcher for the Chicago White Sox from 1911 until 1920.
His story began in January 1884 in New Alsace, Indiana, the place of his
birth. His family operated the Benz Slaughterhouse, located on the outskirts
of the town of Batesville.
His pitching career began in the local amateur leagues pitching for the
Batesville Champion Royals. He excelled on the local level throughout the
early 1900's. At this time he was nicknamed 'Blitzin Benz" for his flaming
fastball. He was also famous for the spitball and the knuckleball. Three team
photos were displayed from this era, showing Benz and several of his
teammates. One photo was taken in 1909, one year prior to his signing with
the White Sox. He was signed shortly thereafter, in 1910.
His professional career began in Davenport, Iowa, pitching 1 - 2 years at
the minor league level.
He debuted with the Sox in 1911. He pitched in the City Series between the
White Sox and Cubs that year, and a game ball from that series was passed
around among the membership for them to examine.
Joe married Alice Lettie in 1914. They would have two children, Rita and
Joe Jr.
He was afforded the opportunity to go on a world tour in 1913 for the White
Sox. The Tour began in Cincinnati, with his home town of Batesville seeing
him off. Citizens from the town traveled by train to Cincinnati and
celebrated "Butcher Boy" Benz Days on October 18, 1913. The media in Chicago
had tagged him with the name "Butcher Boy" when they found out that his
family owned a slaughter house in his home town. The tour would be one of
the highlights of his life. It included stops in Japan, Italy, and London.
While in Italy he had the honor of meeting the pope. His travels would prove
costly to him as in 1914 he became sick with typhoid fever, probably
contracted on the tour.
His pitching was less effective after his recovery. However, the doctors at
the time didn't even think he would be able to pitch again after his illness.
He did recover, though, and pitched until 1919.
He compiled a 76 - 75 record with a 2.43 ERA, and had one no hitter, in 1914
against Cleveland. He also pitched in the 1917 World Series. He pitched two
games in 1919 and injured his arm, ending his career. He was not involved in
the 'Black Sox Scandal' during the World Series that year with Cincinnati.
His salary had been approximately $6000.00 per year, a princely sum in that
era.
After his pitching days were over, he continued to live in Chicago and
worked at various occupations including custodian at a church, tavern owner,
and he was a surveyor at Midway Airport. He died in Chicago in 1957.
