David “Beals” Becker, a native of El Dorado and a 1903 graduate of Wentworth Military Academy was recognized again for his athletic accomplishments at the Wentworth Military Academy graduation awards ceremony.
The first, Beal’s Becker Memorial award was established this year to recognize the Wentworth High School Baseball player who contributed the most to the success of the team.
Becker attended Wentworth from 1901 through 1903; during his career there he became a Cadet Lieutenant, and was a member of the Bugle Corps. While at Wentworth, Becker played left end on the football team, center on the basketball team, and a pitcher, and outfielder on the baseball team. In 1903, Becker’s athletic ability was recognized as the recipient of the Wentworth Champion Athlete Award. From 1908 to 1915, Becker played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Boston Braves, the New York Giants, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Philadelphia Phillies. He played in three World Series, two with the Giants in 1911 and 1912, and one with the Phillies in 1915. David “Beals” Becker is a 2000 inductee into the Wentworth Military Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. He is the only known Wentworth graduate to play professional baseball.
The 2010 Beal’s Becker Most Valuable Player award was presented to Cadet Luke Schroeder from Moline, Illinois. Wentworth Military Academy founded in 1880, in Lexington, Missouri is the oldest Military Academy west of the Mississippi.
Lexington, Mo. —
