Ferguson began his professional career with the then named Philadelphia Quakers in 1884 and he quickly established himself as one of the better Pitchers in the game. In 1886 he was arguably the National League’s best Pitcher by posting a 30 and 9 record with a 1.98 ERA and 0.976 WHIP. Ferguson was not just an excellent hurler but he was also quite adept with his bat and glove. Often, when he wasn’t pitching he would either play Outfield or Second Base. In the four years he played for the Quakers he batted .288, including a .337/.417/.470 Slash Line in his fourth and final season (1887).
The reason there was not a fifth season is that in April of 1888 Ferguson contracted typhoid fever and would die within a month robbing the game of what many considered to be the best all around player at the time. It could only be imagined if there was a possible Hall of Famer in Charlie Ferguson had tragedy not intervened.
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