1876, in a game against the Mutuals, he made three of the team's nine errors, all three in crucial game situations. After the game, he became a "much suspected man" by the press and his team alike, so the team suspended him for crooked play. On June 10, Bechtel wired teammate Jim Devlin a message stating "We can make $500 if you lose the game today. Tell John (manager Jack Chapman) and let me know at once. BECHTEL." Devlin wired him back explaining that he was not that kind of player, and presented the telegram to the team's management. Louisville immediately suspended him from the team. Bechtel was picked up by the Mutuals and played in a couple of games for them before the end of the season. The National League followed the lead of the Grays and suspended Bechtel before the season, and despite attempts for re-instatement, he was denied. Devlin himself was also banned for life the following season when he and a couple of teammates were paid for losing games. At this time, it is unknown when and where Bechtel died, but Peter Morris, a member of the Society for American Baseball Research, claims that he most likely died in Philadelphia on April 3, 1921. References External links Retrosheet George Bechtel at SABR (Baseball BioProject) 1848 births 1921 deaths Baseball players from Philadelphia 19th-century baseball players Major League Baseball right fielders Philadelphia Geary players Philadelphia Keystones (NABBP) players Philadelphia Athletics (NABBP) players Philadelphia Athletics (NA) players New York Mutuals players Philadelphia White Stockings players Philadelphia Centennials players Louisville Grays players Philadelphia (minor league baseball) players Major League Baseball controversies Sportspeople banned for life