"The Little Steam Engine" earned his nickname as one of the hardest-throwing pitchers of his era. That was an era when pitchers could not raise their arms above shoulder height, and also were expected to pitch nearly every game. For example, Galvin started 75 games in 1883, 72 in 1884. He was a busy pitcher, busy enough to win 365 games in his career.
Galvin pitched mostly for Buffalo, when that was a National League franchise, then for Pittsburgh. A short and stocky fellow, he was a good pitcher for a long time.
Galvin earned 138.72 ratings points.
Galvin's stats: 365-310 record, 2.85 ERA, 6003 innings (second all-time). posted by Shawn Weaver at 6:10 PM
Monday, September 12, 2005
Number 212: John McGraw.
McGraw is best known as the long-time manager of the New York Giants, but before (and briefly during) that period he was also a star third baseman. McGraw was the ringleader of the rollicking 1890s Baltimore Orioles, a short third baseman who would go to any lengths to win a game. His own game involved slapping singles, drawing lots of walks, and running the bases with abandon.
McGraw was also a fine defensive player at a time when third base was a more important position, partly because of the fielding of bunts necessary in that era. McGraw was quick on the trigger at fielding the placed hits. He was a user of that strategy himself, and led the league in on-base average three times, walks and runs twice.
McGraw earned 138.97 ratings points.
McGraw's stats: .334 average, .446 on-base average, 436 steals. posted by Shawn Weaver at 4:26 PM
