christymathewson

Christopher "Christy" Mathewson (August 12, 1880 – October 7, 1925), nicknamed "Big Six", "The Christian Gentleman", or "Matty", was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played in what is known as the dead-ball era; and in 1936 was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its "first five" inaugural members. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christy_Mathewson

What I think is amazing is that he won 373 games in just 17 seasons, still tied for the most lifetimes wins in the NL with Grover Alexander. During WWI, he was accidentally gassed with mustard gas and damaged his lungs, leaving him open to TB. He never was the same after that.

Though the date on the negative is February, 1914, there was of course no baseball being played then. Based on this photo titled "World Series" it is likely from the preceding October's World Series in New York:


The 1914 notation should be changed as a result.

artolog, Thanks for your comment. I agree this photo is likely from the previous World Series, based on the other photo you linked. We can make a note to that effect, but will retain the date of the negative as well, since that offers information about the use of the photograph. Mathewson was in the news in February and March of 1914 as he was deciding between continuing with New York or taking a job with the Federal League.

I don't know why someone tagged this Ebbetts Field. From the date on the photo, this would be from the homestand being played by the Giants at the Polo Grounds against Brooklyn. Mathewson started the May 4th, 1914 game. www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1914/VNY101914.htm

Art Siegel This is Ebbets Field, the dates on the photographic glass negatives do not necessarily correspond to the date the photos were actually taken. Compare the fence along the 3rd base side field level seats, the dugout (and the unique cutout at its bottom), and the open area behind the first deck of seats, to other photos of Ebbets Field in the Bain photostream, among others, and you will see that this is the recently opened Ebbets Field.

Aha, I see that. Must have been from an earlier Giants-Dodgers game in Brooklyn.

Amazing to see the differences in the styles between then and now, but the game remains the same...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christy_Mathewson

In 2000 The US Postal Service honored Christy Mathewson with this commemorative stamp as part of the Classic Collections: Legends of Baseball issue. The Legends of Baseball issue honored 20 baseball greats who were named to the "All-Century Team," announced after the 1999 season. Votes from fans, as well as members of a special panel, selected the team.

"These players embody the glory and tradition of our national past-time. Tales of their extraordinary abilities and larger-than-life personalities have made them much more than just ballplayers: THEY ARE LEGENDS.

“In 1901, 21-year-old Christy Mathewson won 20 games for the New York Giants. With his ‘fade-away’ pitch, he posted three consecutive 30-victory seasons and in the 1905 World Series threw three shutouts in only six days.” – From the back of the sheet of stamps.

First Day of Issue ceremonies were held July 6, 2000, in Atlanta, Georgia, where Major League Baseball held the 2000 All Star Week and 2000 All Star Game. (Scott 3408c). (A matching 20¢ US Postal Card (Scott UX339) was also issued at the same time.)