Eddie Bennett

AKA:
Baseballs Most Famous Mascot
Birth Name:
Edward Bennett
Birth Date:
1904
Birth Place:
Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York
Death Date:
01/16/1935
Place of Death:
115 W. 84th Street, Manhattan, New York
Age:
31
Cause of Death:
Alcoholism
Cemetery Name:
St. John Cemetery
Claim to Fame:
Sports
Eddie Bennett was an American batboy and mascot for several teams, most notably the New York Yankees during the 1920s and 1930s. At the time of his death, Bennett was considered to be the "most famous mascot in the world". Bennet had a spinal injury when he was very young which resulted in a hunchback. He was considered to be a "good luck charm" by the members of the club, and became a well-known celebrity in New York. On May 19, 1932, Bennett was hit by a taxi on a New York City street. He suffered a broken leg and other injuries from which he never recovered. To find relief from the pain he suffered from the injuries, Bennett started to abuse alcohol. He was forced to retire as the Yankees mascot in the middle of 1933 season, although Ruppert insisted he remain on the payroll all year. The New York Times reported that the "notoriously superstitious" ballplayers and fans blamed Bennett's absence on the Yankees' failure to win the pennant in 1933 and 1934. In January 1935, Bennett died penniless due to alcoholism.

Fun Fact

When Eddie Bennett died penniless in a rooming house in Manhattan, New York not a single member of the Yankee organization attended his funeral.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

St. John Cemetery

80-01 Metropolitan Avenue

Middle Village, New York, 11379

USA

North America

Map:

Grave Location:

Section 34, Row DD, Grave 64

Grave Location Description

After entering the cemetery’s east entrance, take the first gate on your left to head southwest. Head along this road for about 0.3 miles. Edward’s Bennett nameplate will be located in the grassy section on your left. His grave is near the road, and about 50 feet southeast of the intersection between Sections 34, 40, and 42.

Grave Location GPS

40.710599, -73.867760

Photos:

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Read More About Eddie Bennett:

Videos Featuring Eddie Bennett:
How Did the Practice of Having Sports Mascots Start?
The 1919 World Series Fix that Tarnished America's Pastime
100 years since 'Black Sox' World Series, new details challenge long-held story
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