Conversation so far:
What was Joe McGinnity's first gig?
he worked as a coal miner, bartender, and operated a saloon.
where did he grow up?
While living in Decatur, McGinnity began playing baseball with other coal miners in their leisure time.
Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?
An outfielder, McGinnity substituted for his team's pitcher in an 1888 game, which he won.
Did he do that often?
He continued to pitch from that point on.
He pitched for semi-professional teams based in Decatur in 1888 and 1889.
Did he pitch for any other team?
McCloskey signed McGinnity, who made his professional debut with the Colts in 1893.

Question: How did he do as a pitcher?
Self-contained rewrite: How did Joe McGinnity do as a pitcher?