Kaense, Spahn, and Johnson's 2004 book on the Boston Braves recounts that, after Bergen's son's death, the player "would catch a few games, then ask Selee if he could return home for a few days." When Selee refused permission, Bergen would go home anyway. Bergen complained that players kept reminding him of his son who had died, and he resented a $300 fine imposed for being AWOL. "Black moods came on Bergen who seemed to be happy only when on his farm in North Brookfield." Most of his teammates were avoiding him completely by the end of the year, and several players said they would not return to the Beaneaters in 1900 if the increasingly erratic Bergen was still with the club.
