Monday, June 20, 2011

Christy Mathewson: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1936

New York Giants: 1900-1916

Cincinnati Reds: 1916

Born: August 12, 1880

1895: Played semi-pro baseball (age 14)

1898: Learned the "fadeaway" pitch (screwball) which made him nearly unhittable.

1899: Finished college

From his official website: "Christy Mathewson was a college man, with a range of interests, who mowed down opposing hitters in his spare time. While at Bucknell University, Mathewson sang in the glee club, belonged to a literary society, played football and served as a model of clean living. On top of these achievements, Mathewson also wrote a series of children's books."

1900: All American Football Player (Drop kicker)

1900: Began playing professional baseball and was claimed by the Reds. Cincinnati traded Mathewson to the Giants.

MLB Debut: July 17, 1900

1901: Throws first No-Hitter vs St Louis (July 15)

1904: Giants win pennant, but manager John McGraw refused to play the upstart American League in the World Series.

1905: June 13: No hits Cubs

1905: Triple Crown (31 wins, 1.28 ERA, 206 strikeouts)

1905: Mathewson throws three World Series shutouts in 6 days leading NY to the championship. For the series: 3-0 record, 27 Innings, 13 hits, 0 runs, 18 strikeouts.

Mathewson became the first modern sports star and celebrity. People admired his high moral standards as well as his talent.

1908: Triple Crown (37 wins, 1.43 ERA, 259 strikeouts)

1911-1913: Giants win three consecutive pennants, but lose the World Series each time. For the three series: Matty went 2-5, but had a sub-1.00 ERA in 1912 and 1913.

1912: Wins 300th game

1916: Traded to Reds and retired at the end of the year.

1916: Pitched in final matchup with Three-Finger Brown. The two greats met up 25 times in their career. Brown won 13 times. Mathewson won 11.

1916-1918: Reds manager (164-176 record)

1918: Enlisted in the army for WWI. Is accidentally gased causing health problems for the remainder of his life.

1919-1921: Coach: New York Giants

1921: Giants win the World Series

1923: President of the Boston Braves

Died: October 7, 1925

His hometown celebrates Christy Mathewson Day every year.

1936: Elected to Hall of Fame

1999: Elected to All Century Team

Accomplishments:

1905 World Champion

373 Wins (3rd all time)

Led league in wins: 4x

Won 20 games: 13x

Won 30 games: 4x

.665 Win percentage (led league 1909)

2.13 ERA (led league 5x)

From 1907-1911: ERA under 2.00

In 15 seasons, had an ERA over 3.00 once

Sub-2.00 ERA: 5x

435 complete games (led league 2x)

79 shutouts (3rd all time)

Led league in shutouts: 4x

4788.2 innings pitched (led league 1908)

2507 strikeouts (led league 5x)

200+ strikeouts: 5x

His 267 strikeouts in 1903 were a record until Sandy Koufax

WHIP: 1.058

Postseason: 5-5 record and 0.97 ERA

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