Jack Bentley (baseball)

John "Needles" Bentley (March 8, 1895 – October 24, 1969) was a professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher over parts of nine seasons (1913–1916, 1923–1927) with the Washington Senators, New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies. For his career, he compiled a 46–33 record in 138 appearances, with a 4.01 ERA (earned run average) and 259 strikeouts. Bentley was a member of the Giants' pennant-winning teams in 1923 and 1924. He was 1–3 with a 4.94 ERA and 11 strikeouts in World Series play.

Jack Bentley
Pitcher
Born: (1895-03-08)March 8, 1895 Sandy Spring, Maryland
Died: October 24, 1969(1969-10-24) (aged 74) Olney, Maryland
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 6, 1913, for the Washington Senators
Last MLB appearance
May 20, 1927, for the New York Giants
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	46–33
Earned run average	4.01
Strikeouts	259
Teams
Washington Senators (1913–1916) New York Giants (1923–1925) Philadelphia Phillies (1926) New York Giants (1926–1927)
Career highlights and awards
National League pennant: 1923, 1924 Led AL in saves in 1914 with 4 (tied with 3 other pitchers)

He was a good hitting pitcher in his major league career. In nine seasons, he compiled a .291 average (170-584) with 7 home runs and 71 RBI. In 1923 Bentley batted .427 (38-89) for the New York Giants. In the 1923 and 1924 World Series, he hit .417 (5-12) with one home run and 2 RBI. He also played 59 games at first base and 3 games in right field in the majors.

In 1922, Bentley pitched for the minor league Baltimore Orioles in the International League, going 13-2 with a 1.73 ERA before he was called up again to the Big Leagues by the New York Giants.[1]

He was born in Sandy Spring, Maryland,[1] and later died in Olney, Maryland, at the age of 74.