Benny Felder

William Benjamin Felder
(James, Benny)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 170 lb.

• Debut 1946
• Final Game 1948
• Born December 9, 1926 in Tampa, FL USA
• Died October 2, 2009 in Tampa, FL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Benny Felder was a Negro League infielder, primarily a shortstop. He was noted more for his glove than his bat. He broke in with the Newark Eagles in 1946, joining the roster when former shortstop Willie Wells left. Felder played short during Leon Day's opening day no-hitter but Monte Irvin would be the primary Eagles SS. His club went on to win the 1946 Negro World Series.

Felder remained a bench player with Newark (1947 and the Indianapolis Clowns (.151 in 1948). Felder was apparently out of baseball for a couple years.

He resurfaced in 1952 with the minor league Fort Lauderdale Braves and Key West Conchs, hitting a combined .176/~.243/.216 in 77 games; he had the second-lowest average in the Florida International League among players with 200+ AB. He fielded .913 while rotating between second base, shortstop and third base.

In 1953, Benny hit .301/~.357/.414 with the Pampa Oilers. He scored 113 runs, stole 15 bases and had 32 doubles; he also fielded .933 as their starting second baseman. Felder spent 1954 with Pampa (.302, .427 SLG) and the Artesia Numexers (.295, .389 SLG) to end his career. He had hit .276 in his minor league career.

Felder was honored before a Newark Bears game in 2007 along with other living members of the Eagles.

Notable Achievements

• Won one Negro World Series with the Newark Eagles in 1946

Sources

• The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
• 1953-1954 Baseball Guides
• Baseball Happenings

Related Sites

• Benny Felder at the SABR Bio Project
• BR Minors page