The Obit For Ben Huffman

MLB scout Huffman dies at 90

"Bennie" Huffman, played for the St. Louis Browns; later a scout

Richmond Times-Dispatch Feb 24, 2005

LURAY -- Benjamin Franklin "Bennie" Huffman, a native of Rileyville who played major-league baseball for the St. Louis Browns, died Tuesday at the age of 90.

Mr. Huffman graduated from Luray High School in 1933 and attended
Bridgewater College from 1934 to 1936 where he played baseball and
football. After his sophomore year at Bridgewater, Mr. Huffman played semipro baseball for Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah League.

In 1937, Mr. Huffman attended a tryout camp of 400 players held in
Arkansas and was the only player offered a contract to attend spring
training with the Browns, managed by Rogers Hornsby. He played for St. Louis for one year -- a portion of it as first-string catcher -- until
an injury sent him down to the minor leagues.

Mr. Huffman joined the U.S. Navy in January, 1942, and after leaving
the service following World War II he joined the Chicago White Sox
which he served as a scout for 32 years. During his career he signed
such greats as Minnie Minoso, Harold Baines and Jim Busby.

Mr. Huffman was inducted into the Major League Baseball Scouts
Association Hall of Fame in 1990 and in 1994 became a charter member of the Bridgewater College Hall of Fame.

Mr. Huffman is survived by his wife, Cornelia Overby Huffman. He was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Huffman, and three sisters: Edna Huffman Miller, Fay Huffman Hershberger and Freida Huffman Good.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Luray
United Methodist Church. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Luray Volunteer Fire Department or to the Luray Volunteer Rescue Squad.


Benjamin Franklin "Bennie" Huffman

Published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on 2/24/2005.

Benjamin Franklin "Bennie" Huffman, 90, of 2 Cedar Lane, Luray, died on Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at Page Memorial Hospital.

He was born on July 18, 1914, in Rileyville and was a son of the late Amos Lee and Mary Rebecca Gochenour Huffman. Mr. Huffman graduated from Luray High School in 1933.

He served in the CCC at Skyland before entering Bridgewater College in 1934, playing football and baseball. After completing his sophomore year, Bennie played semi-pro ball for Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah League.

In 1937, he was signed as a catcher with the St. Louis Browns, being one of the few players who went directly into the majors. One of the highlights of his career was playing in Yankee Stadium and hitting a home run along with Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio. A serious injury sent him to the minor leagues.

Bennie was about to return to the majors in 1941 when World War II broke out. He joined the Navy in January, 1942, where he played ball in the service leagues. After leaving the service, he joined the Chicago White Sox as a manager and player and then as a scout for 32 years, signing Harold Baines and many others. He retired to his home in Luray, where he enjoyed his hobby of woodworking.

In 1990, he was inducted into the Middle Atlantic Major League Baseball Scouts Association Hall of Fame, being one of the first class of inductees. On July 23, 1994, Bennie was named a charter member of the Bridgewater College Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Luray United Methodist Church, the VFW and the American Legion.

On May 2, 1944, he married Cornelia Overby of Courtland, who survives him. He was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Huffman; and three sisters, Edna Huffman Miller, Fay Huffman Hershberger and Frieda Huffman Good.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, at the Luray United Methodist Church by the Rev. Doug Martin. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Luray Volunteer Fire Department or to the Luray Volunteer Rescue Squad.