Allen Benson

This article is about the baseball player. For the journalist and politician, see Allan L. Benson.

Allen Wilbert Benson (March 28, 1905 – November 16, 1999), nicknamed "Bullet", was an American professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues in 1934. He would play for the Washington Senators.

Allen Benson
Pitcher
Born: (1905-03-28)March 28, 1905 Hurley, South Dakota, U.S.
Died: November 16, 1999(1999-11-16) (aged 94) Viborg, South Dakota, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 19, 1934, for the Washington Senators
Last MLB appearance
August 26, 1934, for the Washington Senators
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	0–1
Earned run average	12.10
Strikeouts	4
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Washington Senators (1934)

Benson played for the bearded House of David baseball team before signing with the Senators. Given the rarity of facial hair among the era's baseball players, the Senators signed Benson largely as a publicity stunt to boost attendance. He became one of very few Major League players who wore facial hair between the deadball era and the 1970s. He struggled in two games and was sent to the minor league Albany Senators. He told reporters "I believe I could have made the grade with the Nats but for these danged whiskers."^[1]