Bechtel's professional career began with the Philadelphia Athletics, a team that was part of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (NAPBBP), the first professional baseball league. His time with the Athletics was marked by his dual role as both a pitcher and an outfielder, a common practice in the early days of baseball when specialization was less pronounced than it is today. Bechtel's ability to contribute both offensively and defensively made him a valuable asset to his team.
In 1874, Bechtel joined the Chicago White Stockings, another team in the National Association. His tenure with the White Stockings was relatively short, but it was during this period that he began to gain more attention for his playing abilities. However, his career took a controversial turn when he was implicated in a game-fixing scandal. This incident would overshadow his achievements on the field and ultimately lead to his downfall in the sport.
The scandal erupted in 1876 when Bechtel was accused of attempting to bribe his teammates to throw a game. At the time, he was playing for the Louisville Grays in the newly formed National League, which had replaced the National Association as the premier professional baseball league. The allegations against Bechtel were serious, and they came at a time when baseball was striving to establish itself as a reputable and honest sport.
As a result of the scandal, Bechtel was banned from professional baseball, making him one of the first players to be expelled from the league for misconduct. This incident marked the end of his professional baseball career, and he faded into obscurity following his banishment. The details of his life after baseball remain largely unknown, and his legacy is primarily remembered for the scandal that ended his time in the sport.
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