Rube Waddell

A monster pitcher, best lefty for the decade of the 1900's, an extremely colorful, interesting, sometimes hilarious, childlike pitcher, possibly mentally impaired. Probably most comparable to , dsay, Koufax amongst more modern hurlers. He had some great years with Connie Mack's A's, he also pitched for Pittsburgh and The Browns before going back to the minors and dying when he was only about 37 or so. One of the most fascinating players ever.

Agree with you irishgit...mostly. Waddell's ERA and BB+H/9 ratio were outstanding. His adjusted ERA is even lower than the Big Unit. His fastball most likely was good, but his numbers don't prove that point out. Would have loved to see him play anyway!

Had he lived today he would not have been allowed to compete in the majors. He would have been shunted off to Special Olympics running childish races and throwing rubber javelins. Any reading of his history shows that this man was, in all likelihood, suffering some form of mental dysfunction, possibly a mild to moderate form of Downs Syndrome. But by God he could pitch, when he wasn't chasing fire engines or being distracted by wind-up toys. A fastball that observers said was better than Walter Johnsons, and the best curve of his day. He might have been the greatest pitcher who ever lived, if only he had the sense of a hamster.