Charley Bassett

Charles Edwin Bassett

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 150 lb.
• School Brown University
• Debut July 22, 1884
• Final Game October 15, 1892
• Born February 9, 1863 in Central Falls, RI USA
• Died May 28, 1942 in Pawtucket, RI USA

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Biographical Information

Charley Bassett was a defensive specialist who played nine seasons in the major leagues. Standing 5'10" but weighing only 150 lbs., he played second base more than any other position.

Bassett was born in Rhode Island and attended Brown University in Providence. Through 2019, he continues to be the player from Brown with the third-most at-bats in a major league career. Charley was at Brown in 1883-84 and made his major league debut in July 1884. Unlike many players of his time, he played solely in the National League and not in any of the other competing major leagues of the time. His first two seasons were with the National League's team in Rhode Island, the Providence Grays. Although he hit under .150 in both 1884-85, he found a job with the 1886 Kansas City Cowboys and hit .260 with 8 triples. He was perhaps the strongest hitter on the team, which went 30-91 that season.

The Indianapolis Hoosiers bought him and kept him from 1887-89. He formed a double-play combo with shortstop Jack Glasscock each year. He and Jack both moved to the New York Giants in 1890-91. Charley started 1892 with the Giants (Glasscock had gone to the 1892 St. Louis Browns), but was released and spent the second part of the season with the 1892 Louisville Colonels where the shortstop was the young Hughie Jennings. Charley played mostly third base for the Colonels.

A site about the Bassett family indicates that Charley had a tough childhood. His mother died young and Charley lived mostly with his grandparents. When his grandfather died, Charley worked as a machinist to support his grandmother. He played amateur baseball beginning in 1877. He was a top-hitting third baseman at Brown, and greatly enjoyed playing for the college team. After his major league days, he played minor league ball through 1897, was a police officer for many years, and in his elderly years worked as a bank guard.