Silver King is quite the name, isn't it?  This was the name of the man whose birth certificate stated, Charles Frederick Koenig, but doesn't this name sound more fun?

King debuted in 1886, playing a handful of games with the Kansas City Cowboys, but it was the three seasons that followed that put him on the map.  These years were spent with the American Association's St. Louis Browns, where he won at least 32 Games each year.  Known for his lack of windup and sidearm delivery, King had a monster season in 1888, where he led the league in Wins (45), ERA (1.63), Innings Pitched (584.2), FIP (2.38), WHIP (0.874), and SO/BB (3.39).  The Browns won two AA Pennants while King was there.

Like many players in 1890, King joined the Players’ League, where, with the Chicago Pirates, he won the ERA Title (2.69) and led the league in H/9 (8.2).  The league folded after that, and he went to the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League, but he was beginning to suffer from arm fatigue and wasn't the same.  He continued for a few years after, but he was done by 1897.

He retired with a 203-152 record.

Silver King was a lot more than one of the many Mexican luchadores who were signed by WCW in the late 1990s, but he was so much more than that.

Before the man who fooled us with his stocky physique appeared on the American scene, he was a successful tag team and singles wrestler in his native Mexico.  Along with his partner, El Texano, Silver King won the main tag titles in that country, and as a solo he ascended to the CMLL World Heavyweight Title. 

Silver King would then crack the U.S. scene with WCW, and while he was not used in a high spot, he was entertaining and did appear on five pay per views.  He returned to Mexico and would win more titles there and in Japan.

Sadly, he died in the ring in a match against Juventud Guerrera in England He suffered a heart attack and the untrained ringside attendants, including the referee were not equipped to handle the situation.  He was only 51 Years Old.

Silver King (born Charles Frederick Koenig) may have adopted a somewhat eccentric name but it fit his equally unique pitching style.