Bruce Benedict
Bruce Edwin Benedict (born August 18, 1955 in Birmingham) is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played 12 seasons for the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1989. Whenever Benedict came to bat at home in Fulton County Stadium, the crowd would chant "BRUUUUUUUUUUCE" causing many opposing teams' fans to believe that he was being booed. Bruce's nickname is Eggs, as in Eggs Benedict.
Benedict attended college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He made his major league debut on August 18, 1978, his 23rd birthday.
He was elected to the National League All-Star team twice, in 1981 and 1983. In 1982, he led National League catchers with a .993 fielding percentage. Statistically, his best offensive season was 1983, when he batted .298 with two home runs and 43 runs batted in. Benedict finished his career with a batting average of .242, with 18 home runs and 260 runs batted in.
Since retiring as a player, Benedict has served several positions in the New York Mets organization. He managed in the Mets minor-league system, then became an advance scout for the major-league team. He resigned his position in 2006.
Benedict also serves as an NCAA Division I basketball official. He is currently a scout for the Saint Louis Cardinals.
References
- "Bruce Benedict" (May 7, 2008) Wikipedia - accessed June 25, 2008
External links
- Bruce Benedict at baseball-reference.com