Christy Mathewson

Christy Mathewson was a professional baseball pitcher who played his entire 17-season career for the New York Giants. Mathewson also briefly served as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

Fast Facts:

Born: August 12, 1880
Birthplace: Factoryville, Pennsylvania
Died: October 7, 1925
Position: Pitcher/Manager
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Uniform retired by the New York Giants (MLB)
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936
3rd for all time MLB wins

Playing Career

During his era, Mathewson was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. Between 1901 and 1914, the Pennsylvania native won 20 or more games 13 times, and won over 30 games four times. His lifetime ERA was a microscopic 2.13, and his 373 wins is currently third on the all time list behind Cy Young and Walter Johnson. Mathewson also pitched two no-hitters in his career, and helped his team win the 1905 World Series by pitching three complete games, and winning all three without giving up a single run.

Managing and Later Years

In 1916, Mathewson was traded to the Cincinnati Reds and appeared in one game for the club (the only game in his career he did not play for the Giants) before becoming the team's manager. Under his direction, the Reds became gradually better, but in 1918, he entered the U.S. Army and was sent to the front in Europe during World War I. There, Mathewson was accidentally exposed to chemical weapons and developed tuberculosis, which he fought until his early death in 1925 at the age of 45. Mathewson was one of the five inaugural inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.