42. Billy Rhines

In the rugged landscape of 1890s baseball, few pitchers arrived with the same immediate, submarine-fueled impact as Billy Rhines. Known as "Bunker" to his teammates, he utilized a deceptive underhanded delivery that confounded hitters during two distinct stretches in Southern Ohio.

Rhines burst onto the major league scene in 1890 with a performance that remains a cornerstone of franchise history. As a twenty-one-year-old rookie, he navigated an immense workload, hurling over 400 innings and securing 28 victories for a Reds squad that was just finding its footing in the National League. This initial stay reached its summit immediately, as he captured both the ERA (1.95) and WHIP (1.121) titles for the Senior Circuit. He possessed a specialized "rise ball" that shot toward the plate before jumping above the bats of frustrated hitters, a craftsmanship that earned him a staggering 11.0 bWAR in his debut season alone.

After a brief departure from the club, Rhines returned in 1895 to reclaim his status as the rotation’s most refined tactician. While the league had moved the pitching rubber back to its modern distance of 60 feet, 6 inches, he adapted his underhanded style to remain a premier force. His second stint was highlighted by a masterful 1896 campaign, a summer where he once again led the National League in ERA (2.45) and WHIP (1.231). He was a model of specialized efficiency, serving as a high-leverage anchor for a staff that relied on his professional resilience to neutralize the explosive offenses of the late 19th century.

The story in Cincinnati concluded after the 1897 season, leaving behind a legacy of 96 wins and a reputation as the most dominant right-hander of the club's inaugural decade in the National League. He departed the organization with a career 3.28 ERA, a mark that reflects six seasons of elite run prevention during one of the highest-scoring periods in the history of the sport.

With the Reds, Rhines compiled 96 wins and 153 complete games while capturing two ERA titles and two WHIP crowns.