42. Frank Killen

The early history of baseball features many modest, low-velocity pitchers who quietly filled rotation spots, but Frank DeHaas Killen seemed like he was built in a laboratory for the 1890s. Standing 6-foot-1 with a lean, athletic frame, the left-hander from Pittsburgh had a commanding presence, easily fitting into the modern game. His raw, high-velocity talent was paired with a notoriously explosive, hyper-emotional temperament. Killen was a mercurial, cocky figure who often lost control on the mound, creating a tense show that frustrated management. After a spectacular 29-win rookie season for Washington in 1892, the Senators' front office traded him to the Pirates, a hometown team willing to tolerate his headaches for a top-tier ace.

During the 1893 campaign, the gamble produced immediate, game-changing gains. Returning to his local roots, Killen delivered an intense, high-volume performance, leading the major leagues with 36 wins and 44 complete games, making winning a daily part of the season. However, just as he captured the city's attention, his physical health sharply declined.

Killen faced a grueling, injury-filled 1894 season before collapsing in the brutal summer of 1895, where his lost velocity and bloated 5.09 ERA made him appear completely washed up. Fans frequently heckled him, and the front office openly questioned if the temperamental southpaw had truly reached the end of his career.

Fully healthy and fueled by a fierce competitive spirit, Killen crafted a legendary redemption story during the 1896 pennant race. He refused to give up, reestablishing his elite status by leading the National League in wins (30), complete games (44), and an exhausting 432.1 innings pitched, league highs. With relentless volume and determination, he carried the pitching staff himself, winning back the fans who had abandoned him a year earlier.

Sadly, the hefty 432-inning workload became the final straw for his throwing shoulder. After pushing his arm to the limit at his peak, Killen's effectiveness declined sharply over the following two summers. Once he lost his ability to prevent runs, his confrontational attitude was no longer a manageable risk the organization could afford. In August 1898, the front office officially ended their association with him through a release.

With the Pirates, Killen had a record of 112-82 over 207 games.