Alfred Bergman
Second baseman
Born: (1889-09-27)September 27, 1889
Peru, Indiana
Died: June 20, 1961(1961-06-20) (aged 71)
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 29, 1916, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
September 12, 1916, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Batting average.214
Hits3
Runs2
Teams

Alfred Henry "Big Dutch" Bergman (September 27, 1889 – June 20, 1961) was an American second baseman who played for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was also known for being a multi-sport college athlete at the University of Notre Dame.

Early life and education

"Big Dutch" Bergman was born on September 27, 1889, in Peru, Indiana, and went on to attend the University of Notre Dame.[1] His brother Arthur, known as "Little Dutch" also attended Notre Dame, and went on to become head coach of the Washington Redskins.[2] His youngest brother Joe Bergman (Dutch the III) was a decorated athlete at Notre Dame and played baseball, track and football.[1]

Bergman is the only athlete in the history of athletics at the University of Notre Dame to earn a total of eleven varsity letters, and he was also the only athlete to earn four letters twice in a single year.[3] He played football, baseball, basketball and was a team captain on the track team. As the kickoff returner for the football team in 1911, Bergman set a presently unbreakable record with a 105-yard return against Loyola; at the time the fields were 110 yards long. Three years later, Bergman became the starting quarterback for Jesse Harper's 1914 team, which finished the season with six wins and two losses.[4] During the 1914 season, Bergman was named All-American quarterback.[5]

Professional baseball career

After graduation, Bergman played baseball for the Peru Greys, owned by his father.[1][2] He then played professional baseball for one season with the Cleveland Indians.[1] He signed with the Indians in late August, and made his Major League Baseball debut on August 29, 1916, and played second base for the team for eight games.[6][7] A month later, he returned to his home in Indiana, two weeks after playing his final game on September 12.[8] In eight games, Bergman had three hits in 14 at-bats, as well as a triple.

War service

In 1917, Bergman enrolled in officers' training camp and was commissioned as a captain for World War I.[1] In August 1917, he received a contract offer to finish out the season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, but declined the offer since he was about to report to Fort Benjamin Harrison for training.[9]

Bergman left the service in 1919 and became a plant manager at the American Stationery company in Peru, Indiana.[1]

Personal life and death

In 1918, Bergman married Elizabeth Horn.[1] They had two sons.[1] He died in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on June 20, 1961.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Final Rites Saturday For (Dutch) Bergman, Peru, Famous Athlete". Newspapers.com. 23 June 1961. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  2. 1 2 "Dutch Bergman, Ex‐Coach Of Washington Redskins". The New York Times. 1972-08-19. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  3. ↑ "Graham Crackers". Newspapers.com. 30 June 1960. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  4. ↑ Gagnon, Cappy (2004). Notre Dame Baseball Greats. Arcadia Publishing. p. 72. ISBN 9780738532622.
  5. ↑ "Services For Ex-Grid Star Set at Peru". Newspapers.com. 23 June 1961. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  6. ↑ ""Dutch" Bergman Reports to Cleveland Sunday". Newspapers.com. 26 August 1916. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  7. ↑ "Bagby Blanks Senators". Newspapers.com. 30 August 1916. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  8. ↑ "Cleveland Indians To Play Akron Saturday". The Plain Dealer. September 29, 1916. p. 14.
  9. ↑ "Eddie Wise To Play Second For Peru Team". Newspapers.com. 8 August 1917. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  10. ↑ "Al Bergman Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
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