Win-Loss record 45-76 Role Baseball player Name Bennie Daniels | Strikeouts 471 Earned run average 4.44 | |
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Bennie Daniels Jr. (born June 17, 1932) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1957–65 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Senators. Listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), 193 lb (88 kg), he batted left-handed, but threw right-handed. During a 9-season career, Daniels compiled 45 wins, 471 strikeouts, and a 4.44 earned run average.
Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Daniels began his career in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1951 with Great Falls in the Pioneer League. After spending the 1953–54 seasons in military service, he moved up in the minor leagues. After a good 17–8 season with Hollywood in the Pacific Coast League, Pittsburgh called him up in September 1957.
Daniels has the distinction of starting the last game played in Ebbets Field by the Brooklyn Dodgers on September 24, 1957. Daniels, pitching for the Pirates, was defeated by Danny McDevitt of the Brooklyn Dodgers, 2–0.
Daniels was involved in one of the first trades with the Washington Senators expansion team, being traded to them from the Pirates in the 1960 offseason in a deal for Bobby Shantz.
Later life
After retiring from baseball Bennie Daniels moved to Compton, California with his wife Jimmie Sue Daniels. Bennie has two children, Michael Daniels and Vickie Daniels. He was preceded in death by his daughter Vickie in September of 2017. Bennie has two granddaughters, Lauren Oliva a 6th grade teacher and Jessica Burnette a hospice nurse. Bennie's great-grandson Christopher currently plays at MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California. Bennie also has to great granddaughters Olivia Lee and Hailey. Bennie Daniels currently resides in Compton, California.