Joe Borden

From BR Bullpen

Joseph Emley Borden a.k.a. Joseph Emley Josephs In 1875

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 9", Weight 140 lb.

Debut July 24, 1875
Born May 9, 1854 in Jacobstown, NJ USA
Died October 14, 1929 in Yeadon, PA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Joe Borden won the first game in National League history, playing for the Boston Red Caps in 1876. He also threw the first professional no-hitter in 1875 while with Philadelphia.

The book The Boston Braves 1871-1953 claims that Borden was signed by Boston after being impressed by him in 1875. They paid him $2,000/year for a three-year contract, and the salary was so high for the times that baseball writers took to calling him "Josephus the Phenomenal". When he couldn't pitch as well as the team wanted, he was turned into a groundskeeper and fix-it man. Finally, the team paid him a flat sum to end his contract.