215 - Close But No Cigar I: Bobby Mathews, 297 Career Wins

Hooks & Runs

Bobby Mathews pitched in three major leagues from 1871 to 1887 and ended his career with 297 career wins. Why did he stop playing when he was so close to 300? This episode looks into Mathews' career as well as wins as a statistical category and 300 wins as a significant career milestone to kick off this series about players who came very close, but did not quite reach landmark career totals.
Errata: Justin Verlander made one start for Houston before going on the injured list in 2020.
Episodes Referenced:
213 - Talking 1890 Players League Blues w/ Robert Ross
Major Sources:
Brian McKenna, "Bobby Mathews," Society for American Baseball Research website, www.sabr.org.
Frank Vaccaro, "Origins of the Modern Pitching Win," 2013 Baseball Research Journal.
The source for all player statistics is baseball-reference.com.
Too many contemporary newspapers accounts to list here.
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