Charles J. Ferguson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Charles Ferguson | ||
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| Pitcher | ||
| Born: April 17, 1863 Charlottesville, Virginia |
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| Died: April 29, 1888 (aged 25) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Batted: Both | Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | ||
| May 1, 1884 for the Philadelphia Quakers |
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| Final game | ||
| October 8, 1887 for the Philadelphia Quakers |
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| Career statistics | ||
| Pitching record | 99-64 | |
| Earned run average | 2.67 | |
| Strikeouts | 728 | |
| Teams | ||
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| Career highlights and awards | ||
Charles J. "Charlie" Ferguson (April 17, 1863 - April 29, 1888) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire four-year career for the Philadelphia Quakers (who were later renamed the Phillies). When not pitching, he increasingly played in the outfield and – in his final season – at second base.[1]
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[edit] Career
Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, he played college baseball and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1883. After graduation, he played for the Virginia representative in the Eastern League, with his team winning the championship.[2] Ferguson made his major league debut with the Quakers in 1884. Philadelphia finished 6th in the National League that season, and Ferguson had a win/loss record of 21-25.[3] That was the only season in which he produced a losing record, and he had his highest earned run average with 3.54.[1]
The next season proved to be his break-out season; his record improved to 26-20, and his ERA dropped to 2.22,[1] while Philadelphia improved in the standings, finishing 3rd in 1885.[4] On August 29, he pitched a no-hitter against the Providence Grays, a 1-0 victory.[5]
He continued his dominance in the 1886 season, winning 30 games and again lowering his ERA, this time to 1.98,[1] good for second in the NL behind Henry Boyle of the St. Louis Maroons.[6] In 1887, he won 22 games and had a 3.00 ERA. That same season, he played 27 games at second base, and had 264 at bats. Not only was he the ace of the pitching staff, but he also led his team in runs batted in with 85, and his .337 batting average would have led his team as well had his total plate appearances not been enough to qualify for the batting title.[7]
[edit] Death
Before the 1888 baseball season, he contracted typhoid fever and subsequently died in Philadelphia.[2] He is interred in Maplewood Cemetery in his hometown of Charlottesville.[1] For the 1888 season, the Quakers, Washington Nationals, New York Giants and Boston Beaneaters wore a black crepe on their left sleeves to commemorate Ferguson.[8] In 1931, Wilbert Robinson rated Ferguson as the fifth-best player to that point in baseball history.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Charlie Ferguson's Stats. retrosheet.org. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ a b Charlie Ferguson's Obit. The Philadelphia Inquirer, Monday, April 30th, 1888. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ 1884 Philadelphia Quakers team page. baseball-reference.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ 1885 Philadelphia Quakers team page. baseball-reference.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ List of No-Hitters and Perfect Games. hickoksports.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ 1886 National League leaders. baseball-reference.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ 1887 Philadelphia Quakers team page. baseball-reference.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ Dressed To The Nines: Misc. Uniform Markings. exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ^ Ever Hear of Charlie Ferguson?. baseball-fever.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
- Charles J. Ferguson at Find A Grave
