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Posted By: Anonymous

To some extent Creighton's story was pilfered by Bernard Malamud in the "The Natural." The truth of Creighton's career was that he was considered the greatest player in the nascent baseball leagues around New York city. Creighton was not only the best Pitcher he was also the best hitter. Creighton died at age 21 of internal injuries brought on by swinging bat and hitting a game winning hit.

Although the HOF has relaxed its 10 year requirement in the past -- Addie Joss comes to mind -- Creighton's career was from the meagre records available on the short end of five years. The game Creighton played was primitive even compared with the pre-National Association Red Stockings Teams led by the Wright brothers (Harry and George -- not Orville) in the late 1860's.

While he was apparently great for at least a little while, there is no evidence that he made any real contribution to the game as an innovator or pioneer like some of the earliest Hall of aFamers -- Candy Cummings, AL Spalding or the Wrights. I don't really think he is a Hall of Famer but certainly his story belongs in Cooperstown.