Charles Albert "Chief" Bender was a Hall of Fame right-hander and one of the best pitchers in the history of the Philadelphia Athletics. Offered is the chance to possess a Chief Bender 1938 signed and inscribed government postcard, with an affixed photo. Bender, a Native American on his mother's side, was a part of the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. Bender pitched in sixteen seasons in the Major Leagues: Philadelphia Athletics (1903-14), Baltimore Terrapins (1915), Philadelphia Phillies (1916-17), Chicago White Sox (1925). He had a lifetime 212-127 record with a 2.46 ERA. Bender was a part of three Philadelphia Athletics World Championships. He was a great big game pitcher. In fact, legendary Hall of Fame Philadelphia A's manager Connie Mack said of Bender, whom he called Albert: "If...there was one game I wanted to win above all others, Albert would be my man." Bender usually remained calm, even in the face of racial insults from the fans. But once in a while, after receiving a good, verbal thrashing from the denizens in the grandstand, Bender would pitch a great half inning, and on his way back to his dugout the Native American would chide the offending fans, calling them, "Foreigners! Foreigners!" After his playing career, Bender served the Athletics in many capacities, as a scout and front office executive.

He was in the employ of the Athletics when he signed the offered postcard, which measures 3.25x5.5". Bender for a time also sold men's clothes, and it's interesting that he inscribed the postcard, possibly where he might have worked, "Bond Clothes/16th & Chestnut/Phila." Bender also inscribed the postcard with "Best Wishes," and he signed as "Chief Bender." Bender used blue fountain ink to neatly inscribe and sign the postcard with his flowing script. On the top of the postcard is "1/18/38" written in blue/black fountain ink by an unknown hand. The postcard is postmarked as "JAN 18 1938/ PHILADELPHIA PA 8." It appears that an unknown hand addressed the postcard to a person in Stroudsburg, Pa. The card exhibits expected foxing and darkening on both sides, as well as some small stains and blotching. The offering has been encapsulated and has a PSA/DNA AUTO GRADE of "MINT 9."

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