CHRISTY MATHEWSON was one of the most dominant right-handed pitchers of all time, starring for the New York Giants in the early 20th century. Nicknamed “The Gentleman’s Hurler,” Mathewson’s career includes two no-hitters and two pitching Triple Crowns, meaning he led the National League in wins, ERA, and strikeouts in the same season. 

Mathewson was something of a prodigy, breaking into semi-professional baseball at the age of 14. A superb all-around athlete, he played baseball for Bucknell University, where he was also the star of the basketball team and an All-American in football. During his professional baseball career, Mathewson also played one season in the NFL as a fullback for the Pittsburgh Stars.

An early pioneer of the screwball, Mathewson led the National League in wins four times and in ERA and strikeouts five times each. He still ranks in the all-time top ten for wins, ERA, and shutouts. In 1936, he was inducted as one of the first five members of the Hall of Fame.