These next group of items from REA's recent auction features probably one of the more colorful ballplayers every to play the game. Some of you may now him best from his, back from the dead, raspy twitter feed known as @OldHossRadbourn. As his frequent twits suggest, he was tough, surly, arrogant and vain. Charles Radbourn could drink anyone under the table then beat you to a bloody pulp for not being man enough to take him down. He was difficult to like, but must have been a joy to see on the field.
"Old Hoss" was one of the best of all time on the mound. In 1884 he started 73 games and completed all of them. Yes, ALL OF THEM. He also won 59 games that year and pitched a total 678 2/3 innings. It took him only 11 seasons to win 300 games. His radiant personality, though, came out during games. In fact, he was suspended once for throwing at his own catcher and knocking him down. The catcher had committed the offense of dropping a third strike.
Anyway, REA's auction featured several vintage cards featuring that old cuss. Check them out below.
Here is a N172 1887 Old Judge card showing Billy Nash tagging out Old Hoss. It sold for $1,200.00.
This next item is even better. This is a 1884 National League scorecard with Radbourn on the cover. It sold for $1,700.00.
This is the rarest item of all. This is a circa 1887 cabinet card of Charles Radbourn. It sold for $4,500.00.
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