Edward Achorn - Fifty-Nine in 84: Old Hoss Radbourn, Barehanded Baseball, and the Greatest Season a Pitcher Ever Had

To Valerie

I see, writes a correspondent, that some fan picks [Christy] Mathewson, [Ed] Walsh and [Rube] Waddell as the three greatest [pitchers]. Matty was a marvel. But when you come to the greatest, it is a matter of choice between Radbourne and [Walter] Johnson. Radbourne, I think, was the greatest pitcher I ever saw.

Grantland Rice, syndicated columnist, 1924

To this day, I dont think I have seen better pitchers than were Radbourne and Sweeney of the old Providence team, with, perhaps one exception. That was Christy Mathewson. He, I think, would have compared with either of the first two. But they were wonders, and [neither] Mathewson nor any other pitcher who has come since was better than they.

Frank Bancroft, former manager, 1920

He was brainy and game to the core; he had curves that were as baffling as any sent plateward. He had a fastball that was a marvel; a slow ball that was about as deceptive as any I have ever seen thrown. And, best of all, Radbourne had control that was absolutely marvelous. He practiced weeks, months and even years to acquire perfect handling of the baseball, and when he finally decided that he had learned his lesson he was able to place the ball in almost any spot that he willed.

Clark Griffith, star pitcher, 1919

He will go down in the history of the game as by far the best pitcher of his day, and his wonderful stamina and record of pitching consecutive games will never be approached, much less equaled.

Sam Crane, former manager, 1912

Volumes have been written about Pitcher Charlie Radbourne. But why should that prevent me from singing the praises of the gamest man who ever stepped into the box? There is no doubt that Radbourne was as great a little man as ever wore a uniform.

Hardie Richardson, former player, 1911

Radbourns wonderful work [in 1884] was, toward the last, the result of grit, pure and simple.

Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader , January 10, 1911

Each year hundreds of pitchers claim attention of the world; and each year they are promptly forgotten. But Illinois produced a man who, although now 11 years deceased, has a brighter name than any of the multitude.

Jacob Morse, reporter, 1908

He had a disposition that no one like him possessed and a will power that no one could swerve. I have seen him cry at one time with madness, and yet one kind word from anyone he liked would make him go the limit for that person.

Ted Sullivan, former manager, 1905

Radbourne was a man of iron nerve, indomitable pluck and great courage. He was also a close student of baseball and a scientific player. He was not a marvel in point of strength, but he had a head filled with gray matter which he never failed to use.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle , January 2, 1905

For dead gameness and grit he never had an equal. His heart was as big as ever was encased in human flesh and as tender as a childs. He was obstinate and morose to deceitful people, but one kind word from a friend that he liked and he would wade in blood for him. This was Charles Radbourn, the king of pitchers.

Ted Sullivan, former manager, 1897

Rad was indisputably the greatest base ball pitcher the world has ever known.

Sporting News , March 6, 1897

Radbourn was an eccentric fellow in some respects, and one who had to be handled with gloves.

Providence Journal , February 6, 1897

Rad is a peculiar fellow personally. He is called a crank by many, but at the same time these very ones admit he is a thorough good fellow. This statement, though apparently paradoxical, is quite true. With managers and umpires he is seldom able to get along. Possibly this is due to the fact that his own estimation of his value and importance is not always shared by them, for it must be admitted that Charles Radbourn sometimes is afflicted with what is known in common language as a swelled head. However, all this does not detract from his ability as a pitcher, for when he does let himself out there is some excuse for his vanity.

Quincy Daily Herald , May 11, 1890

He is a curious fellow, and to get along with him it is necessary to coax a bit like one would a great big boy. Rad is certainly worth being coaxed.

Boston Globe , April 15, 1888

Every fair-minded man is obliged to admit that Radbourne is the greatest pitcher in the world.

Evening Telegram , Providence, September 1, 1884

Radbourn is the paragon of the season, and a standing wonder of the profession.

Cleveland Herald , September 16, 1884

Radbourn pitches ball as if his very life depended upon it.

Cleveland Leader , September 16, 1884