MLB History: Top 100 Players in Baseball History (90-81)
By David Hill
87. Pud Galvin
300 game winners may not be commonplace, but 24 players in MLB history have reached that milestone. Pud Galvin was the first to do so, winning his 300th game on October 5, 1880 against the Indianapolis Hoosiers.
The pudgy Galvin, who was nicknamed Pud due to his ability to make opposing hitters ‘look like pudding’ with his arsenal, was one of the better pitchers to never win a division title, and the only player in baseball history to win 20 or more games in at least ten seasons without a pennant. Galvin won 46 games in both 1883 and 1884, pitching a combined 1292.2 innings in 148 games, with 143 complete games during that span.
During his career, Galvin posted a 365-310 record with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.191 WHiP. One of the better control pitchers in baseball history, Galvin walked only 745 batters in 6003.1 innings. His 365 wins are fifth all time, and his career 1.117 walks per nine innings is 15th in baseball history. Only Cy Young pitched more innings, or had more complete games (646) than Galvin in his career.
However, what Galvin may be remembered for these days is his link to PED usage. Back in 1889, Galvin was using a serum known as the Brown-Sequard elixir, a substance made from monkey testicles that was supposed to restore youthfulness. Galvin, who had been battling a sore arm, won the game he pitched after taking the serum, and was hailed by the media for doing what it took to take the mound and perform.
Pud Galvin had an interesting list of firsts: the first pitcher to win 300 games, and the first player to be known for taking PEDs. Only in his case, Galvin’s quest to compete and his usage of monkey testosterone was celebrated with a berth in the Hall of Fame.
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