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Togie Pittinger
You’d be hard pressed to find two more disparate back-to-back seasons than the ones Charlie Pittinger put together in 1902 and 1903.
Pittinger, an imposing, fireballing right-hander, won 27 games in 1902 for the Boston Nationals, second only to Hall of Famer Jack Chesbro that season. He was also second in the league in complete games (36) and innings pitched (389⅓). His win total as of 2014 was still tied with that of teammate Vic Willis (who coincidentally also won 27 games that year for the third-place Bostons) for the Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves franchise record for most wins in a season. With the American League routinely raiding the NL for its best players, Pittinger parlayed his excellent season into an almost unheard-of two-year contract from Boston at the princely sum of $4,000 per season.
But instead of another dominating season, Pittinger had one of the worst seasons recorded by a pitcher. In 1903 he led the National League in five negative pitching categories: losses (22), earned runs allowed (136), hits allowed (396), home runs allowed (12), and walks allowed (143). He was still a workhorse, pitching 351⅔ innings. With his large salary, his season didn’t endear him to Boston management.
Pittinger never did have another season like 1902 but he did go on to some success, winning 23 games with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1905. However, his career and his life, which was filled with tragedy, both ended prematurely. The effects of diabetes forced him to retire in 1907 and ended his life in 1909 at the age of 37 (insulin would not be available for another twelve years). He endured the death of both a daughter and his wife during his short lifetime. And the press was merciless with him about his looks during his career, calling him among other names, Horse Face or Dog Face. - SABR
Redid the facegen.
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