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Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Well I guess it is not deadball, but sometimes off topic is permissable. The most underrated baseball person all time, who was a pitcher is Monte Ward. As a pitcher he averaged over 40 wins/season for two consecutive years, pitched the second perfect game ever, and accomplished lots more. As an infielder and outfielder, he was an adequate hitter having three seasons in which he got about one hit in each three at bats. He was a top basestealer; once amassing over 100 steals in a season. He was a lawyer (is that a good thing?) who rebelled against the reserve clause. When he hit the brick wall of the owners, he started up his own league. He served as an administrator, manager and almost was elected league president.

Certainly the members here know all about him, but who else ever even heard of him? Wait! Let me ask my wife. No, but a good guess! He is not the founder of Montgomery Wards (or did he do that too)?