| Lady Baldwin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1859-04-08)April 8, 1859 Oramel, New York, U.S. | |
| Died: March 7, 1937(1937-03-07) (aged 77) Hastings, Michigan, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 30, 1884, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 26, 1890, for the Buffalo Bisons | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 73–41 |
| Earned run average | 2.85 |
| Strikeouts | 582 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Charles B. "Lady" Baldwin (April 8, 1859 – March 7, 1937) was an American left-handedpitcher. He played six seasons inMajor League Baseball with theMilwaukee Brewers (1884),Detroit Wolverines (1885–1888),Brooklyn Bridegrooms (1890), andBuffalo Bisons (1890).
Baldwin had his best season in 1886 when he compiled a 42–13 record and a 2.24earned run average (ERA), threw 55 complete games, and led theNational League with 323strikeouts. Baldwin's 42 wins in 1886 set the major league record for a left-handed pitcher and remains the second highest single season total by a southpaw. Baldwin also pitched five complete games for a 4–1 record and a 1.50 ERA in the1887 World Series. Arm troubles cut short Baldwin's major league career at age 31.
Baldwin was born in 1859 inOramel,Allegany County, New York, approximately 60 miles southeast ofBuffalo.[1] His father, Samuel Baldwin, was a farmer.[2][3] As a boy, he moved with his family toBarry County in western Michigan, first toJohnstown Township and then toHastings.[2][3][4]
Baldwin was introduced to baseball in Hastings and began his pitching career for the Hastings team.[4] His battery-mate on the Hastings team wasDeacon McGuire, with whom he would later play as a member of theDetroit Wolverines.[5]
Baldwin began his professional baseball career in 1883 playing for theGrand Rapids, Michigan, team in theNorthwestern League.[6]
In 1884, at age 25, Baldwin played for theMilwaukee Brewers of the Northwestern League. He compiled a 9–10 record in 22 games in the Northwestern League despite having an impressive 1.17earned run average (ERA). The Northwestern League disbanded during the 1884 season, and the Brewers became part of theUnion Association, considered a major league, toward the end of the season. Baldwin made his major league debut with the Brewers on September 30, 1884. He compiled a 1–1 record and 2.65 ERA in two games in the Union Association.[1][4]
In 1885, the Brewers became members of theWestern Association. Baldwin pitched impressively for the Brewers in 1885, compiling an 11–4 record and a 0.68 ERA in 16 games.[7]
Baldwin was given the nickname "Lady" because of his "quiet ways" and his refusal to swear or to come into contact with either tobacco or liquor.[6][8][9]
During the 1885 season, Baldwin was acquired by theDetroit Wolverines of theNational League. He appeared in 21 games for Detroit in 1885 and, despite an impressive 1.86 ERA, managed only an 11–9 record for a team that finished in sixth place with a 41–67 record.[1] Baldwin led the National League inwalks plus hits per inning pitched (0.92) and in strikeouts per nine innings pitched (6.775),[1] and he was the only pitcher on the 1885 Detroit team to compile a winning record.[10]
In 1886, the Wolverines acquired "The Big Four" (Dan Brouthers,Deacon White,Hardy Richardson, andJack Rowe) from Buffalo and improved to second place and an 87–36 record. Baldwin accounted for nearly half of Detroit's victories in 1886. He compiled a record of 42–13 with a 2.24 ERA in 487innings pitched,striking out 323 of 1,936batters faced. Baldwin alsocompleted 55 of 56 games, seven of which were viashutout.[1] One of Baldwin's complete games in 1886 was a 3–0, 14-inning victory over thePhiladelphia Phillies.[8] Another was a one-hitter against Washington in June 1886 in which he struck out 13 batters.[11]
Baldwin's 42 wins in 1886 set a major league record for a left-handed pitcher and remains the second highest single season total by a southpaw.[12] Baldwin was also "reputed to be the first southpaw hurler to master the curve."[13]
In 1887, the Wolverines won theNational League pennant and the1887 World Series.[14] However, a shoulder injury sidelined Baldwin during the season, and he was "sent home without pay" in late July.[6] Baldwin rejoined the Wolverines in August, and after resting his arm, won seven of his last eight games.[6] Baldwin appeared in only 24 games in 1887 (down from 56 in 1886) and compiled a 13–10 record and a 3.84 ERA.[1] The heaviest load for the 1887 team was handled byCharlie Getzien who compiled a 29–13 record.[14] However, in the World Series, Baldwin pitched five complete games for a 4–1 record and a 1.50 ERA.[15]
Baldwin was also a strong hitting pitcher. During Detroit's 1887 championship year, Baldwin compiled a respectable .271batting average and a .354on-base percentage.[1]
In 1888, Baldwin was able to play in only six games. According to some sources, his pitching arm was "dead" from overwork in the three prior seasons.[6] He compiled a 3–3 record in 1888, but saw his ERA balloon to 5.43—nearly 300% higher than his ERA of 1.86 just three years earlier.[1]
Ned Hanlon, who played with Baldwin in Detroit, later said of Baldwin: "I will not hesitate in saying that 'Lady' Baldwin was the best left-handed pitcher of his day and one of the best that ever stood in the box. He had wonderful command, speed and curves, and knew how to work the batters."[16]
Baldwin attempted a comeback in 1890. He split the 1890 season between theBrooklyn Bridegrooms of the National League and theBuffalo Bisons of thePlayers' League. He compiled a 3–5 record and 4.78 ERA in nine games for the two teams.[1] He appeared in his final major league game on June 26, 1890,[1] and was released by Buffalo in early July 1890.[17]
By 1890, Baldwin had returned to his hometown ofHastings, Michigan, and taken up farming.[18] At the time of the 1900 Census, Baldwin was living in Hastings with his wife Dora E. Baldwin.[19] He remained in Hastings for the remainder of his life and became a successful orchard owner and farmer. In 1910, he was seriously injured when he fell from a hay mow, breaking his collarbone. The injury deprived Baldwin of the full use of his right arm, and he underwent surgery at theUniversity of Michigan Hospital to correct the problem.[20] In 1914, he was again seriously injured after falling from a ladder and was unable to walk for months.[21] He later went into the real estate business in Hastings.[6]
Baldwin died in 1937 after an illness of six months at age 77.[22] He was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Hastings.[1]