Benjamin Franklin "Bennie" Huffman

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.