![]() Contacted at his Melrose, Massachusetts, home shortly after the gruesome crime, Selee observed, “His mental derangement, although noticeable from the time he became a member of the club, seemed to grow worse the past season.” Manager Frank Selee, who led Boston to five NL pennants in the 1890s, could no longer tolerate his actions and seriously considered trading him to Cincinnati. It had become fairly common for Bergen to abandon the team without notice for days at a time. ![]() Many of his teammates, concerned about his mental state, were said to fear him, avoiding him whenever possible. In the spring of 1899 while Bergen was on a road trip in Washington, one of his young sons passed away, and that tragedy pushed him closer to the brink of insanity. Displaying what was likely severe paranoia, he was described by acquaintances as constantly giving the impression that someone was out to do him an injustice.2 This trait seemed to become even more pronounced as his playing career went on. Many regarded him as one of the finest catchers in the league at that time-a very competent batsman with a deadly accurate throwing arm.īergen had earned a reputation early in his career for his erratic behavior and extreme eccentricities. Bergen had debuted with Boston in 1896 and had been an integral part of the National League championship teams of ‘97 and ‘98. The Red Sox franchise was still over a year away from its inaugural season, and the National League team had the area’s baseball fans all to itself. The landscape of sports in 1900 was such that the Boston Beaneaters, later known as the Braves, were the only professional sports team in the city. The newspapers would write, “It was the deed of a maniac executed in the most brutal manner.” It was also said of Bergen that he was a clean- living, deeply religious, and devoted family man, and “when in his right mind, a better fellow never lived.”1 The tragic news spread quickly through the small central Massachusetts town not far from Worcester. A bloody long-handled ax was leaning in a doorway a few feet away. In the next room, Bergen’s wife, Harriet, was found lying in bed next to their three-year-old son Joseph, both with traumatic head wounds. His six-year-old daughter Florence lay beside him with severe damage to her skull inflicted by the blunt end of an ax. As he entered the kitchen he witnessed the startling sight of Bergen in a pool of blood with his throat cut and a razor resting on a table nearby. The brutally grim discovery was made that morning by Bergen’s father, Michael, who had stopped by the farmhouse two miles outside of town to do a few chores. Though the 28-year-old North Brookfield native was thought for some time to have been experiencing severe mental problems, few believed he was capable of such a horrific act. It was in the early hours of that Friday morning in the town of North Brookfield, Massachusetts, that Marty Bergen, star catcher for Boston’s National League team, killed his wife and two children with an ax, then sliced his own throat with a razor. ![]() While many believe that the darkest day in Boston sports history was the day Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees, January 19, 1900, may well qualify as its most tragic. All rights reserved.This article was originally published in “The Northern Game-And Beyond,” the 2002 SABR convention journal. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. "I will continue to be an ambassador for the club and a proud member of Red Sox Nation, while transitioning to life after baseball alongside my wife Jennifer, my children and my grandchildren."Įckersley, 67, was a six-time All-Star who went 197-171 with a 3.50 ERA in a career in which he pitched 100 complete games as a starter before pioneering the role of the one-inning closer and earning 390 saves. "After 50 years in Major League Baseball, I am excited about this next chapter of my life," Eckersley said. He joined NESN in 2003 and stood out for his outspoken and colorful analysis on the Red Sox broadcasts. He won the AL Cy Young and MVP awards in 1992 while playing for the Athletics. Louis, becoming both a 20-win starter in 1978 and a 50-save reliever in 1992. Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley leaving Boston Red Sox booth after 2022, his 50th season in MLBīOSTON - Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley said Monday he will be leaving the Boston Red Sox broadcasts at the end of the season, his 50th in major league baseball.Įckersley, who was drafted by Cleveland as a California high schooler in 1972, went on to pitch 24 seasons for Cleveland, Boston, the Cubs, Oakland and St. You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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