Marty Bergen
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Martin "Marty" Bergen (October 25, 1871 - January 19, 1900) was an American professional baseball player who killed his family before committing suicide.
Baseball Career edit
He played 344 games with the Boston Beaneaters from 1896 to 1899. He was most noted for being their catcher and helping them on two straight National League Pennants. Within a year, he had established his reputation for throwing out baserunners and for being the best catcher on the team.
Mental Illness edit
Unfortunately, Bergen suffered from apparent mental illness, possibly schizophrenia with manic depression. This condition worsened in 1899. He suffered from various hallucinations, from enemies trying to poison or assassinate him, to mocking him about his late son's death. He was fully aware of his conditions and sought active help, but he refused to take any of the bromides that were suggested to him in fear of it killing him
Murders and suicide edit
On January 19th, 1900, he killed his wife, his two remaining children, and himself in a murder-suicide. Medical examiners state that Marty killed his family with an axe, then used his straight razor to cut his own throat with such force that he nearly decapitated himself. Despite this, and his short time in his baseball career, he received one vote to enter the baseball Hall of Fame in 1938 and 1939.