Major League Baseball Player. He was the brother of former Major Leaguer Marty Bergen, and like his brother, was also a catcher. Pound for pound, he was the worst hitting catcher of all time, as his lifetime .170 batting average suggests. Bergen was known for being a great defensive backstop who was exceptional at throwing to second base. He began his pro career with Pawtucket of the New England League in 1898, then moved on to the Inter-State League in 1899. After two seasons with Fort Wayne, Indiana he joined the Cincinnati Reds in 1901. He was the main backstop for the club his first two seasons, but lost his job to Heinie Peitz in 1903. His contract was bought by the Brooklyn Superbas on January 16, 1904, and it was with that team that he would spend the remainder of his big league career. While there he would never bat above .200, although he continued to be a reliable receiver and good handler of pitchers. His arm, maybe the strongest in the National League, was a real asset to his club. He once gunned down six St. Louis Cardinals in a game on August 23, 1909. He ranks in the Top 20 all-time for career assists by a catcher. He was released by the Superbas after the 1911 season but soldiered on in the minors in the International League and the New York State League. He later managed semipro teams in Worcester, MA, where he made his home. He died at the Worcester City Hospital from arteriosclerotic heart disease after a stay of nearly two weeks in December of 1943.
Major League Baseball Player. He was the brother of former Major Leaguer Marty Bergen, and like his brother, was also a catcher. Pound for pound, he was the worst hitting catcher of all time, as his lifetime .170 batting average suggests. Bergen was known for being a great defensive backstop who was exceptional at throwing to second base. He began his pro career with Pawtucket of the New England League in 1898, then moved on to the Inter-State League in 1899. After two seasons with Fort Wayne, Indiana he joined the Cincinnati Reds in 1901. He was the main backstop for the club his first two seasons, but lost his job to Heinie Peitz in 1903. His contract was bought by the Brooklyn Superbas on January 16, 1904, and it was with that team that he would spend the remainder of his big league career. While there he would never bat above .200, although he continued to be a reliable receiver and good handler of pitchers. His arm, maybe the strongest in the National League, was a real asset to his club. He once gunned down six St. Louis Cardinals in a game on August 23, 1909. He ranks in the Top 20 all-time for career assists by a catcher. He was released by the Superbas after the 1911 season but soldiered on in the minors in the International League and the New York State League. He later managed semipro teams in Worcester, MA, where he made his home. He died at the Worcester City Hospital from arteriosclerotic heart disease after a stay of nearly two weeks in December of 1943.
Bio by: Frank Russo
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