Jack Chesbro and the Real Story of MLB’s Most Famous Wild Pitch
The baseball Hall-of-Famer achieved many great accomplishments but is forever known for one fateful pitch
Right-handed pitcher Jack Chesbro was an ace around the turn of the 20th century, using his iron-clad arm and dangerous spitball to mow down hitters. Although he ultimately made the Baseball Hall of Fame, he largely became known for one wild pitch he uncorked down the stretch of the 1904 season that was instrumental in costing his New York Highlanders the pennant; something his manager Clark Griffith could never forget.
Chesbro got his start playing organized ball by pitching for the team of a mental hospital where he worked as an orderly. A patient gave him the nickname of “Happy Jack,” which he maintained when he reached the big leagues.
In 11 seasons (1899–1909) with three teams, Chesbro was a combined 198–132 with a 2.68 ERA. He was ultimately elected to the Hall of Fame in 1946. The hurler spent his best years with New York and proved to be a dominant workhorse. His best season came in 1904, when he finished 41–12 with a 1.82 ERA in 55 games (51 starts). He led the league in wins, games, starts, and innings (454.2). His win total still stands as a likely unbreakable single-season record for pitchers in the modern era.
