Charlie Atherton
Charles Morgan Herbert Atherton
(Prexy)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 160 lb.
- School Pennsylvania State University
- Debut May 30, 1899
- Final Game August 22, 1899
- Born November 19, 1873 in New Brunswick, NJ USA
- Died December 17, 1934 in Vienna, Austria
Biographical Information[edit]
"Charley Atherton is playing an organ in a Buffalo church every Sunday. He is also practicing daily with a view of finishing his musical education." - Sporting Life, Dec. 31, 1904
"Charley Atherton has done some star work with the cue at McGraw's billiard parlor, and Christy Mathewson has been among his many victims." - Sporting Life, Jan. 9, 1909
Charley Atherton played in the majors in 1899. His minor league career ran from at least 1894 through 1907. He was usually called Charles or Charley rather than Charlie.
Although he played in only 63 games at third base in his only big league season, Atherton committed 26 errors. He was not even the worst fielding third baseman on the team - in 62 games at third base, Win Mercer committed 30 errors. Perhaps the epitome of poor fielding at third base, however, was Jack O'Brien, who in just four games at third base committed six errors for a .714 fielding percentage.
In 1896, Atherton broke his nose while playing on a football team (a two sport star during his days at Penn State, he is credited with inventing the place kick). In 1900, he was said to be teaching chemistry. It was reported in 1902 that he inherited $50,000 - but would continue to play ball. In 1904, he managed the Montreal Royals in the Eastern League for part of the season. In 1907, he managed two separate teams in the Tri-State League for parts of the season, the Johnstown Johnnies and the Wilmington Peaches. In March 1908, a new league called the Union League was formed, and Atherton was chosen to be the captain of the club in Washington, D.C.
He died in Vienna, Austria, in 1934 and was buried there in the city's central cemetery.
Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1904 | Montreal Royals | Eastern League | -- | -- | Replaced by Ed Barrow | |
| 1907 | Johnstown Johnnies | Tri-State League (PA-DE-NJ) | -- | -- | Replaced by Thomas Daly | |
| Wilmington Peaches | Tri-State League (PA-DE-NJ) | -- | -- | Replaced William Connolly, replaced by Mike Grady |
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