Ben Taylor (taylobe01)

Benjamin Harrison Taylor

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 163 lb.

• Debut June 28, 1912
• Final Game July 4, 1912
• Born April 2, 1889 in Paoli, IN USA
• Died November 3, 1946 in Martin County, IN USA

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Biographical Information

Ben Taylor, a noted spitballer, pitched for Saginaw in 1910 until stricken with typhoid. He retired to his home in Mitchell, IN to recuperate in September and did not play again that year. In 1911 he again signed with Saginaw, but jumped the club in late April over disagreements with new manager Malachi Kittridge. He was fined $100 by club president A.S. Burkart, but Taylor patched things up with the team and signed a new contract for 1912. That same week he signed a contract with the Cincinnati Pippins of the outlaw U.S. League. Upon receiving word, Burkart sent a letter to Cincinnati informing the club that Taylor was a contract jumper and requesting that he be dropped from their roster. Cincinnati manager McKinnon told the local papers he had "never heard of Burkart," and signed Taylor anyway.

The Cincinnati Reds picked Taylor up in June and after a two-game tryout, released him. In 1913 Taylor signed with the Federal League Kansas City Packers but did not appear in a game for the team.