. . $1.25 shipping. $0.34. While his premature death was tragic - and a huge loss for the sport - he should get no "bonus" credit for the abbreviated career. The country was at war, and Baseball was under pressure to support the war effort. The Baseball 100: No. 36, Christy Mathewson - The Athletic This is something we cant help. He died later that day. With Mathewson as his star, McGraw won five pennants and a World Series title; McGraw won more after Mathewson retired, but he never won another after his dear friend died tragically at the age of 45. The Baseball Timeline. As he was a clean-cut, intellectual collegiate, his rise to fame brought a better name to the typical ballplayer, who usually spent his time gambling, boozing, or womanizing. Educated and self-confident, he was a role model for the youth of his era and one of baseball's greatest pitchers. This reference is challenged by Ken Burns documentary Baseball in which it is stated that Mathewson learned his "fadeaway" from Andrew "Rube" Foster when New York Giants manager John McGraw quietly hired Rube to show the Giants bullpen what he knew. (Photo by Michael Mutmansky), Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Historical Societies: News and Highlights, Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Newsletter. During the summers he would play in various minor-league teams. Compelled by duty and his desire to do the right thing, Mathewson did as many other men of his time did, and joined the war effort, heading overseas to fight in World War I. He also led the league in starts, innings pitched, complete games, and shutouts, and held hitters to an exceptionally low 0.827 walks plus hits per innings pitched. He followed it up with other literary endeavours including the play 'The Girl and the Pennant' and children's book 'Second Base Sloan'. Only when there were runners in scoring position did he go for the strikeout. Mathewson garnered respect throughout the baseball world as a pitcher of great sportsmanship. Right-handed pitcher Christy "Matty" Mathewson (1880-1925), a thirty-seven-game winner, took the mound against the Cubs' Jack Pfiester (1878-1953), the so-called "Giant Killer" because of his remarkable success against the New York club's hitters. . Christy Mathewson holds a special status as a native son of Pennsylvania. Christy Mathewson Is A Role Model For Professional Superstars In 338 innings, Mathewson walked only 64 batters. The Tragic 1925 Death Of Baseball Legend Christy Mathewson. . Also Known As: Christopher Mathewson, Big Six, The Christian Gentleman Died At Age: 45 Family: siblings: Henry Mathewson Born Country: United States Baseball Players American Men Died on: October 7, 1925 place of death: Saranac Lake, New York, United States U.S. State: Pennsylvania Cause of Death: Tuberculosis Recommended Lists: He served during the Cold War and has traveled to many countries around the world. Please let us know in the comments section below this article. Sportswriters dubbed him Big Six, after Manhattans Americus Engine Company Number 6, known as the Big Six Fire Company, reputed to be the fastest in the city. Mathewson was highly regarded in the baseball world during his lifetime. Then, two days later in game five, he threw a six-hit shutout to clinch the series for the Giants. Mathewson's life ended due to WWI, but his career was effectively over (as a great pitcher) several years before then. Christy Mathewson Jr. injured; wife dies in crash