The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-23

of strategy. He was not big man
physically but he had head filled
with brains and he knew how to pitch.
He was wise TO the weak points of all
the batsmen and was about the coolest
proposition ina ginable when under fire.
Clark son. a native of Cambridge, Mass.
was delighted when the Chicago CLUB
soid his release to Boston in 1889, for
$4,000, and he promptly showed his
apprecia ton of the deal by pitching "a
games for percentage of .73e.
Although the Philadelphians did not
capture the pennant in 1887, they had
the leading pitcher in Charley Ferg,i-
son, who officiated in 35 games for
a percentage of $3.50. Ferguson was
not only a fine twirler, but also a
splendid general player and batsman,
and when he died the baseball sharps
said. that it would be many years be-
fore the game could produce his equal.
Tim Keefe, of the Giants, was the
champion pitcher In 1888 He took part
in so games with winning percentage
of .745. But he received much assist
ance from Smiling Mickey WEIGH, who
Keefe was an artist. Like Radbourne
and Clarkson he knew what good
slow ball meant and he worked 1t
with glittering success.
Tom Lovett of the Brooklyn led
the pitchers in 1890, the brotherhood
wreck. This did not mean that Lovett
was not first-class boxman, how
ever for he had percentage of .73s
for AZ games. Bill Hutchinson of the
Chicagos. carried off the honors in
1891 with SO games and $3.50, but An
sons team did net win the champion
ship.
Giants Pitching Stars
When the Giants finished second in 1894
and then won the Temple cup from the
champion Batimores in the post-sea son
series, Jouett Meekin and Amos Rusie
electrified New York fans by their won
derful pitching. Meekin led, with a per-
centage of $50 for ~ games, but Rusie
was not far behind him.
Russie, for that matter, was generally
regarded at that time as the best pitcher
in the country and he led the league in
1897 with a percentage of .7s4 for s37
games. Hoffer, of the Baltimores.
topped the pitchers In 1895 and 1896 In
the former season he pitched 81 games
for 8S4, and in the later he took part
in So games for .S2S
Lewis, of the Bostons, led in 1898 with
"a games and 757. and Jimmy Hughes,
a Californian. dug up by Ned Hanlon,
helped the Brooklyns to win the pennant
in 1899 with record of "a games and
percentage of 1928
1t was in the following year that Iron
MAIL MtOlilHily dttIdttcu Iuutii dttcHtlOn
by pitching Al games for .769 for the
BroolSlvns. who won the pennant again.
Then Happy Jack CHESHIRE led the league
in 1901 and 1902, while member of the
Pittsburgs. his records being 30 games
end 100, and 50 games and .S1s, respec-
lively.
Later, when a member of the High
landers. Chesbro. hung up record of IA
consecutive victories, which was euualled
by Reulbach, of the Chicago Cubs, last
year. Clarke Griffith with the Chicago
White Sox in 1901, led the American
league twirlers with 81 games and per-
centage of ia.
Sam Lever, of the Pittsburgs, was the
National leagues star pitcher in 1908 with
Ss games and a percentage of .7Sl. Lee
yer was with the Pirates last ysar, but
his days appeared to be nearly over Nc
Ginnity pitched 81 games for the Giants
in 1904 and won .S14 per cent of them.
Mathewson the same year worked In Is
games for .733. and the Giants won the
pennant with LOG victories. AZ defeats. and
1913 per cent. Lever, of Pittsburg, led
In 1905 with SO games and 800.