Baseball's greatest pitcher.

Authors :: Kull, Andrew
Source :: American Heritage. Apr/May85, Vol. 36 Issue 3, p102. 5p. 1 Color Photograph.
Publication Year :: 1985
Abstract: Hoss Radbourn is considered by some people to be baseball's greatest pitcher. Charles Hoss Radbourn played for the Providence Grays of the National League in 1884. During August and September 1884, he won 18 straight games within the space of a month. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939. In 1884 teams only employed two starting pitchers and substitution of players was forbidden. The other pitcher was Charlie Sweeney. The season got off to an erratic start. Radbourn was celebrated in the Providence papers. The physical effects of Radbourn's pitching were evident after each game. His pitching arm would be so sore the next morning that he could not lift his arm to comb his hair. After the 1884 season he suffered a few mediocre ones until the 1889 and 1890 seasons.