MLB History: Old Hoss Radbourn Signs with Providence Grays
By David Hill
Old Hoss Radbourn had one of the greatest seasons in MLB history with the Providence Grays in 1884. That performance was set in motion on this day in 1881, when he signed with the Grays.
Before we begin, I want to start with a little personal history. I was born in Rhode Island, and lived there for the first 24 years of my life before moving to various places. In my early teens, I learned of the Providence Grays and Old Hoss Radbourn, two entities that have become a bit of an unhealthy obsession. See, I found it strange that Providence, the capital of the smallest state, had a MLB team, let alone one that won a title. And Radbourn’s dominance in 1884 began a fascination with that year in baseball that endures to this day.
It was on this day in 1881 that the association between Radbourn and the Grays began. To be honest, it was a fairly unremarkable signing; the then 26 year old Radbourn had spent six games with the Buffalo Bison, splitting his time between second base and the outfield. In those six games, he had three hits and one RBI in 21 at bats. He was not exactly a powerhouse with the bat.
However, the Grays saw something. Although he missed most of the 1880 campaign due to a sore arm, the Grays returned Radbourn to the mound. That move paid immediate dividends, as he fashioned a 25-11 record with a 2.43 ERA and a 1.147 WHiP. Radbourn led the National League in winning percentage, and started his way towards a truly impressive career.
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Radbourn would improve every year through 1884. In 1882, he had a 33-19 record with a 2.11 ERA and a 1.015 WHiP. That performance was followed by a 48-25 record, a 2.05 ERA and a 0.979 WHiP. Radbourn, in 1883, led the NL in wins, WHiP, and in appearances (76).
That just set the stage towards his astonishing 1884 season. Pitching virtually every day after Charley Sweeney was released for insubordination and refusing to leave the mound during a game, then showing up to a game with two prostitutes on his arms, Radbourn pitched virtually every day. He ended the year with a 59-12 record, a 1.38 ERA, and a 0.922 WHiP. He had 73 complete games, throwing an incredible 678.2 innings. And, Radbourn, in his two relief appearances, had a save both times.
While Radbourn would be solid for a few years after 1884, he would never reach those same heights again, retiring after the 1893 season. Following his career, he opened a tavern, and lost his eye after being shot. Radbourn would later die of complications related to syphilis at the age of 42.
Elected to the MLB Hall of Fame in 1939, Radbourn is remembered these days not only for his incredible 1884 performance, but for another first. Someone who was openly defiant about virtually everything, he was the first, and likely second, player every to be photographed flipping off the camera. Just look at this 1887 Old Judge. He is far more than his entertaining twitter feed from beyond the grave.
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Old Hoss Radbourn had one of the greatest seasons ever seen in MLB history. On this day in 1881, he signed with the Providence Grays, putting history in motion.