Lady Baldwin
From BR Bullpen
Charles B. Baldwin
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 5' 11", Weight 160 lb.
- Debut September 30, 1884
- Final Game June 26, 1890
- Born April 8, 1859 in Oramel, NY USA
- Died March 7, 1937 in Hastings, MI USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Charles "Lady" Baldwin pitched six seasons in the majors in the 19th Century and, aside from one record-breaking year, had a relatively unspectacular career.
Baldwin began playing in the minors in 1883 and by the next season had reached the big leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers of the Union Association. The circuit folded after one season, and he moved on to the Detroit Wolverines of the National League. After winning 11 in 1885, he had a career year in 1886, going 42-13 and setting the record for the most wins in a season by a left-hander, which still stands today. That year, he led the NL in wins and strikeouts (323) as his clubs finished in second place. During the course of the season, he threw 7 shutouts, a one-hitter, 5 two-hitters, and 5 three-hitters.
The next season, Baldwin fell to just 13 wins (Charlie Getzein led the team with 29) and, after struggling in midseason due to fatigue, was sent home for a while. Nonetheless, the Wolverines won the NL title that year. In that year's World Series, he went 4-1 in 5 starts and held the St. Louis Browns to a .155 batting average.
Baldwin played in just 6 big league games in 1888. He was back in the majors in 1890, splitting his time between the Brooklyn Bridegrooms of the NL and the Buffalo Bisons of the Players League.
Baldwin hit .231 lifetime. In 1886, when he won the 42 games, he also added 25 RBI. He got his nickname because he didn't smoke, drink, or curse. After baseball, he operated a farm and then a real estate business.
