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amead17 · 09-09-2025, 10:47 AM

WADDELL STRIKES OUT 15 — PIRATES’ STAR HURLER SETS NEW STANDARD IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times
July 17th, 1902

Yesterday at Exposition Park, the faithful of Pittsburgh witnessed a pitching exhibition the likes of which have not been seen in the young annals of Major League Baseball. Rube Waddell, the mercurial southpaw of the Pittsburgh Pirates, delivered what many are already calling his finest performance, striking out 15 men of the visiting Boston Beaneaters in a brilliant 4–2 triumph.

Though the Beaneaters scratched across two early runs, Waddell remained utterly undaunted. With his blazing fastball and darting curve, he set Boston’s batsmen down in bewildered fashion, piling up strikeouts inning after inning. The Pirates’ bats, meanwhile, awakened late, with runs in the 6th, 7th, and 8th frames securing victory.

The Pirates now stand at 54–27, strengthening their hold atop the National League, with Waddell himself boasting a season record of 14–7, an earned run average of 2.46, and an imposing total of 141 strikeouts. His mark of 15 strikeouts in a single game stands as the first of its kind in Major League play, a testament to both his ability and the promise of what may yet come.

The ever-colorful Waddell, all smiles after the game, told reporters:

“I felt strong all afternoon, and every time I reared back, the ball seemed to jump just where I wanted it. The Boston fellows are good hitters, but today they might as well have swung at shadows. I’ll remember this day for a long time.”

Pirates manager Fred Clarke, visibly proud of his ace, added:

“I have seen many pitchers in my time, but never a performance finer than what Waddell gave us today. To strike out 15 men is no small feat, and he did it with style and command. If he keeps this form, there’s no telling how far he can take this club.”

As the season presses on, Pittsburgh’s grip on the pennant chase looks firm, and with Rube Waddell in such electric form, the Pirates appear every inch the team to beat.

09-09-2025, 10:47 AM	#56
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,288	Waddell gets 15 WADDELL STRIKES OUT 15 — PIRATES’ STAR HURLER SETS NEW STANDARD IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times July 17th, 1902 Yesterday at Exposition Park, the faithful of Pittsburgh witnessed a pitching exhibition the likes of which have not been seen in the young annals of Major League Baseball. Rube Waddell, the mercurial southpaw of the Pittsburgh Pirates, delivered what many are already calling his finest performance, striking out 15 men of the visiting Boston Beaneaters in a brilliant 4–2 triumph. Though the Beaneaters scratched across two early runs, Waddell remained utterly undaunted. With his blazing fastball and darting curve, he set Boston’s batsmen down in bewildered fashion, piling up strikeouts inning after inning. The Pirates’ bats, meanwhile, awakened late, with runs in the 6th, 7th, and 8th frames securing victory. The Pirates now stand at 54–27, strengthening their hold atop the National League, with Waddell himself boasting a season record of 14–7, an earned run average of 2.46, and an imposing total of 141 strikeouts. His mark of 15 strikeouts in a single game stands as the first of its kind in Major League play, a testament to both his ability and the promise of what may yet come. The ever-colorful Waddell, all smiles after the game, told reporters: “I felt strong all afternoon, and every time I reared back, the ball seemed to jump just where I wanted it. The Boston fellows are good hitters, but today they might as well have swung at shadows. I’ll remember this day for a long time.” Pirates manager Fred Clarke, visibly proud of his ace, added: “I have seen many pitchers in my time, but never a performance finer than what Waddell gave us today. To strike out 15 men is no small feat, and he did it with style and command. If he keeps this form, there’s no telling how far he can take this club.” As the season presses on, Pittsburgh’s grip on the pennant chase looks firm, and with Rube Waddell in such electric form, the Pirates appear every inch the team to beat.