Christy Mathewson

About

Christy Mathewson was a renowned American baseball player born on August 12, 1880, in Factoryville, Pennsylvania. He attended Bucknell University, where he excelled in baseball, football, and basketball. Mathewson's baseball career spanned 17 seasons, primarily with the New York Giants. He was celebrated for his intelligence and control on the mound, utilizing a signature "fadeaway" pitch that baffled hitters. Mathewson's achievements include winning 373 games, tying him for the third-most wins in Major League history, and posting a career ERA of 2.13. Mathewson's impact extended beyond his on-field accomplishments. He was known as "The Christian Gentleman" for his moral character and never pitched on Sundays due to his religious beliefs. In 1918, he joined the U.S. Army's Chemical Warfare Service during World War I, where he was accidentally exposed to chemical gas, leading to a bout with tuberculosis that ultimately ended his life on October 7, 1925. Mathewson was one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, a testament to his enduring legacy in baseball.