The National League record of 373 career wins belongs to the New York Giants pitcher who dominated the early twentieth-century mound. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, he combined pinpoint accuracy with an innovative delivery known as the fadeaway. His professional legacy remains defined by a rigorous approach to the game and a place among the original five Hall of Fame inductees.
Early Development and Education
Born on August 12, 1880, in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, he attended Keystone Academy before enrolling at Bucknell University. A versatile athlete, he participated in baseball, basketball, and football, eventually earning selection to the Walter Camp All-American team in 1900. His introduction to competitive play began at age 14, and he continued refining his pitching skills within minor league circuits in Honesdale and Meridian while still a student.
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Beyond baseball, he maintained a career in professional football. Between 1895 and 1897, he played at Keystone Academy, followed by a tenure with the Greensburg Athletic Association in 1898. Later, while signed to the New York Giants, he appeared as a fullback for the Pittsburgh Stars. His involvement in football concluded abruptly during the 1902 season, likely due to internal pressure from baseball management to prioritize his pitching duties.
Major League Dominance
Acquired by the New York Giants in December 1900, he played 17 seasons for the franchise. His pitching repertoire relied on a fastball and the fadeaway, a pitch he learned from Dave Williams. He secured the 1905 World Series title by pitching a record three shutouts. Throughout his tenure, he achieved a .665 winning percentage, recorded 2,507 strikeouts, and maintained a career earned run average of 2.13. His commitment to religious beliefs prevented him from pitching on Sundays.
Military Service and Final Years
During World War I, he served in the United States Army's Chemical Warfare Service. An accidental exposure to chemical weapons during training severely damaged his respiratory system, leading to the development of tuberculosis. He died on October 7, 1925, in Saranac Lake, New York, and was buried in the Lewisburg Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 12 August 1880, Factoryville
- Died: 7 October 1925, Saranac Lake
- Height: 6 ft 1 in
- Weight: 195 pounds
- MLB team: New York Giants
- Career wins: 373
- Hall of Fame induction: 1936
- Education: Bucknell University
Questions readers ask
What was the fadeaway pitch?
The fadeaway was a signature pitch developed by Mathewson, later referred to in baseball as the screwball.
Why did he not pitch on Sundays?
He avoided pitching on Sundays due to his devout Christian beliefs.
