[Hendu Style]

Regarded as the century of the pitcher, the 1800's had several capable suitors. Three stood above the rest.

Evan Burke won 20+ games for ten seasons in a row, highlighted by a Colonial record 31 wins in 1890. By the time the 1899 season rolled around, he was a lock to become the game's first 300 win and 3,000 strikeout pitcher. He would reach neither milestone. A torn triceps in the preseason ended his professional career at the age of 35. At the time of his retirement, Burke was still number one all-time in wins (283), shutouts (26), and strikeouts (2,680) in a career than spanned 14 seasons with Maxis City.

Longtime Irontown ace Dan "City" Stark ammassed an impressive record of 267-216 while posting a 2.85 ERA in his 15-year career. He struck out 2,516 batters and won the pitcher of the year award three times. Stark was a picture of health for the Black Sox, never missing more than a week of action due to injury despite logging more than 4,000 innings in his career.

And then there was Dave Baker. There's no question the right-hander left an indelible mark on the league, owning six career records at the turn of the century. He was the epitome of the term "workhorse," pitching more innings (4,803), tossing more complete games (397), and making more appearances (602) than any other pitcher in the game in the 1800's. But he also had the dubious honor of losing more games (283) and allowing more hits (5,164) than anyone else. He was never considered the best pitcher in the game while with Bayouville, Dullsville, and Freeport, but Baker was always in the conversation.

In an era when pitching reigned supreme, Burke, Stark, and Baker were the game's best. But no pitcher could ever hold a candle to the great Stormy Boyd. Even Stark himself was quoted as saying "Stormy's the best there is, the best there ever was, and the best there will ever be."