- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Smiling Mickey (1859-1941). An elite pitcher for 13 professional seasons, Welch was the 3rd pitcher to reach 300 wins. Mickey was a 20-game winner 9 times in his career, 7 times in succession. He also won 30+ games 4 times and 40+ games once. Shared pitching duties with HOFers John Ward & Tim Keefe.
- 1st pinch hitter in Major League history: 9.10.89, when he pinch hit for fellow HOFer Hank O’Day
- Still holds record for consecutive K’s to start a game: 9
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1973
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Detroit
- Team: Wolverines
- League: National League
George Edward Weidman (1861-1905) hurled more innings for the Detroit Wolverines than any other pitcher. Six of his nine ML seasons were with that club. Stump pitched for Rochester University as a youth and must have gotten great guidance from his amateur battery-mate: future Hall of Famer Buck Ewing. His record suggests a bit of hard luck, perhaps typified by his debut with the Buffalo Bisons in 1880 where, despite a 3.40 ERA, Weidman was 0-9. In ’81, with Detroit, Weidman had the lowest ERA in the NL at 1.80, going 8-5. 1882 saw yet another fateful stroke as Stump matched up with famed John Montgomery Ward in a pitching duel for the ages. The game went 17 scoreless innings until Old Hoss Radbourn broke Weidman’s heart with an 18th inning HR. For five straight years Stump lost 20+ games, suggesting managerial confidence and abysmal support. After leaving the Wolverines for a year in KC, Weidman returned for a satisfying, pennant-winning season, contributing 13 wins.
- Stump played minor league ball in Canada, umpired awhile, and concluded his pro ball life with the Providence Clamdiggers in 1893
- His life was cut short by cancer: Weidman did not survive surgery attempting to remove a tumor in his throat
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Chicago
- Team: White Stockings
- League: National League
George Edward Martin Van Haltren (1866-1945). Primarily an outfielder who also pitched in 93 games, Van Haltren is oftentimes mentioned as a player who may deserve better HOF consideration. George played for 5 teams over 17 seasons, compiling some impressive numbers. George still holds the NL record for reaching base in 60 consecutive games.
- 2,532 hits; .316 BA; .386 OBP
- Batted .300+ in 12 seasons
- Ranks 20th all-time in SBs: 583
- Scored 100+ Runs in 11 seasons
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Quakers
- League: National League
James Alexander Tyng (1856-1931). Jim is credited as the 1st player to wear a catcher’s mask, playing for Harvard in 1877. In 1879, Tyng became the 1st Harvard player selected to play in the majors, when he was picked up by Harry Wright & the Boston Red Caps as an emergency pitcher. Tyng defeated the 1st-place Providence Grays to draw the Red Caps within 2 games of the Grays. It was the only victory in his major league career.
- Career 1-2 record; 4.94 ERA
- .333 batting average (5 for 15)
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
Ledell Titcomb (1866-1950). A pitcher for 5 professional seasons, Titcomb won a total of 30 games in his career while playing for 4 different clubs: Philadelphia Quakers, Philadelphia Athletics, New York Giants & Rochester Broncos. His best season was 1888, when he went 14-8 with a 2.24 ERA and 22 complete games for the New York Giants.
- Threw a no-hitter against the Syracuse Stars while pitching for the Rochester Broncos: 9.15.90
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