“Do you throw that fast consistently?” the team’s manager asked. “No, sir,” Paige said. “I do it all the time.”

He whiffed just 434 times in his career. It’s a different time now, sure, but just to compare: The Yankees’ great young slugger Aaron Judge struck out 501 times in just his first three seasons.

His son later said that Bankhead, who was from Alabama and had seen the worst of America’s racism, pitched in mortal fear of hitting a batter and causing a riot. Bankhead pitched in only four games and was sent back to the minors; there would not be another black pitcher in baseball until the legendary Satchel Paige was finally given his chance

From 1983 to 2001, 19 straight seasons, Gwynn walked more than he struck out.

(and still only)

“Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.” “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?”

In 1930, he led the league in wins and saves (though it would be decades before the save became an official statistic).

The only trouble is: Does anyone want balance in Ty Cobb’s story?

Gwynn faced the great Greg Maddux 107 times in his career. He never struck out. Not once.