Amos Rusie

cooperstownexpert.com
Birthdate 5/30/1871
Death Date 12/6/1942
Debut Year 1888
Year of Induction 1977
Teams Giants, Indianapolis Hoosiers, Reds
Position Pitcher

Amos Rusie thew at least 90 mph and has been widely reported as the main reason MLB changed the pitching distance from 50′ to 60’6″ in 1893.

 

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Though he pitched in just 10 MLB seasons, Amos Rusie won 246 games

Though he pitched in just 10 MLB seasons, Amos Rusie won 246 games

Amos Rusie broke into the big leagues in 1889 with the Indianapolis Hoosiers. Armed with a fastball that is estimated to be upwards of 90 mph, he was nicknamed the Hoosier Thunderbolt. After winning 12 games in his first season, Rusie reeled off 8 straight 20-win seasons from 1890-1898. During that
Rusie's wildness prompted an increase in the pitching distance in 1893 from 50' to 60'6

Rusie's wildness prompted an increase in the pitching distance in 1893 from 50' to 60'6"

Amos Rusie, the “Hoosier Thunderbolt” was one of the most feared pitchers of his day. He began his career when the pitcher was just 50 feet from home plate. Known for his wildness, Rusie led the NL in walks 5 times. In part because of his lack of control, the pitching distance was moved
Rusie lived his post-baseball life in Seattle, Washington, dying there on December 6, 1942

Rusie lived his post-baseball life in Seattle, Washington, dying there on December 6, 1942

Government postcards provide aid to authenticating autographs. Collectors sent a postcard to the desired target. When the autograph returned in the mail, it contained a postmark verifying the exact date and place from where it was mailed. This postmarked reveals a June 1st, 1940 mailing from Seattle
Amos Rusie earned baseball's 5th pitching Triple Crown and the first from 60'6

Amos Rusie earned baseball's 5th pitching Triple Crown and the first from 60'6"

Amos Rusie had four straight 30-win seasons from 1891-1894. The first two of those seasons came when the pitching distance was at 50′; the last two came at the more-familiar 60’6″. In 1894 Rusie had his finest season, leading the National League in wins (36), ERA (2.78), and strike
Amos Rusie was traded straight up for Christy Mathewson on December 15, 1900

Amos Rusie was traded straight up for Christy Mathewson on December 15, 1900

John T. Brush owned the Reds while eyeing the Giants. After the 1900 season, Brush as Reds owner, “traded” Christy Mathewson straight up for the sore-armed Amos Rusie who hadn’t pitched since 1898. Bush then sold his share in the Cincinnati club and bought the Giants for whom Matty

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"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball…"

~Jacques Barzun, 1954