gold star for USAHOF

19. John Clarkson

19. John Clarkson
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: July 1, 1861 in Cambridge, MA USA
  • Weight: 155 lbs.
  • Height: 5'10"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: May 02, 1882
  • Final Game: July 12, 1894
  • Pitching Triple Crown - 1889
 
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Prior to his arrival to Boston John Clarkson was considered one of the best Pitchers in the National League.  With the Chicago White Stockings (which would later be named the Chicago Cubs), he had twice finished first in Wins (1885 & 1887) and was thought of as an elite Pitcher.  The Boston Beaneaters sure thought so and they purchased him from Chicago for $10,000, which was a fortune in 1888!  This proved to be a decent choice, and Clarkson had a good 1888 with a 33 Win season (2nd overall) but exploded the following season with what has to be considered one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.

In 1889, John Clarkson finished first in Wins (49), Earned Run Average (2.73), Games Pitched (73), Innings Pitched (620), Strikeouts (284), WHIP (1.277) and bWAR for Pitchers (16.7).  That 16.7 is the fifth-highest EVER by Pitchers in any season.  Clarkson would have won an award for a Pitcher had there been one in existence back then.  He would have two more good seasons for Boston before he was surprisingly released midway through the 1892 season.

His overall resume with the Beaneaters saw him post a 149 and 82 record with a 2.82 ERA.

Clarkson would enter the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1963 via the Veteran’s Committee.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Acquired: Purchased from the Chicago White Stockings for $10,000 4/3/88.
  • Departed: Released 6/30/92.
  • Games Played: 242
  • Notable Statistics: 149 Wins
    82 Losses
    2.82 ERA
    237 Games Started
    226 Complete Games
    20 Shutouts
    5 Games Finished
    4 Saves
    2,092.2 Innings Pitched
    1,022 Strikeouts
    3.44 FIP
    1.258 WHIP
    1.23 SO/BB
    42.3 bWAR

    No Playoff Games
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Highest bWAR for Pitchers (1889)         
    Lowest ERA (1899)
    Lowest H/9 (1899)
    Lowest WHIP (1899)
    Most Innings Pitched (1888 & 1889)
    Most Games Pitched (1889)
    Most Saves (1891)
    Most Strikeouts (1889)
    Most Games Started (1889)
    Most Complete Games (1889)
    Most Shutouts (1889)
    Highest ERA+ (1889)
    Most Putouts by a Pitcher (1889)
    Most Assists by a Pitcher (1889 & 1891)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Pitcher (1889 & 18915

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