CHS Alumnus named to Baseball Hall of Fame
June 27, 2024
By: Katherine Trowbridge
Benny Benavides CHS Class of '75 and as Eagle's Head Coach Benny Benavides works with his team.
There’s something to be said about “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.” For Benny Benavides that saying has rang true in more ways than one. Benavides, a 1975 alumnus of Connell High School, went on to coach baseball and joined a community of fellow Eagles.
Benavides has been coaching the Lindbergh “Eagles” since 1994, when his sons attended Lindbergh High School.
In 2001, he took over as the acting head coach and has remained in the role ever since.
Benavides initially started coaching his sons’ summer team, the Renton Rebels, when they were 10 years old. Then, once they started school at Lindbergh, he transitioned with them. First serving as assistant coach in 1996.
While a Connell Eagle, Benavides participated in both cross country and baseball, as a standout athlete. Benavides also played for the Kennewick-Pasco Dusters in American Legion Baseball in the early 1970’s.
While he took some time off before getting back into baseball, Benavides hasn’t lost a beat. As he entered his 22nd season as head coach for the Lindbergh Eagles, Benavides, took his milestone 200th win, celebrating alongside his baseball community. He recently completed his 24th season with well over 200 wins in his repertoire.
In 23 seasons of coaching the Lindbergh Eagles, Benavides now has another milestone to celebrate. As part of a full weekend, the All State Baseball game was played on Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, along with the Washington State Baseball Baseball Coaches Association induction ceremony to their Baseball Hall of Fame. Benavides was named among this year’s inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
What an honor for a CHS Alumnus to receive. Benavides joins other CHS Eagles in the Hall of Fame, including the late Bill Walker as well as Bill Walker, Jr.
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