Joe McGinnity: Iron Man's Lifetime Suspension Lasted 12 Days

Joe McGinnity joined the Baltimore Orioles in 1899 at the ripe old age of 28. McGinnity had spent many years in the minor leagues (yes, there were minor leagues in the 19th century) before he developed an underhand curve that changed him into a winner.

McGinnity had a pretty good season, going 28-16 with a 2.68 ERA, a 148 ERA+ and a 1.231 WHIP.

Things were a little different 112 years ago (really?). McGinnity was assigned to the Brooklyn Superbas for the 1900 season. He had an even better season for the pennant-winning Superbas, going 28-8 with a 2.94 ERA, a 131 ERA+ and a 1.350 WHIP.

Examining the numbers reveals that McGinnity had been more effective his first season, but he pitched for a better team in Brooklyn and lost eight fewer games. The experts are usually right when they claim a pitcher's wins and losses are not a true measure of his season.

In 1901, the American League was open for business. Free agency, in a slightly different form from today, existed, at least for a while.

McGinnity returned to Baltimore, which was now in the American League. He signed with the Orioles for $2,800, although Brooklyn offered him over $5,000. McGinnity wanted to play for the Orioles' John McGraw.

In 1903, the Orioles moved to New York. They became the Highlanders, then the Yankees and are now the greatest franchise in sports history.

With his old Orioles team, McGinnity lost 20 games. Now, I remember New York Mets announcer Lindsey Nelson telling viewers that Roger Craig had to be a pretty good pitcher to lose 20 games. But unlike Craig, who was 10-24 in 1962, which was the Mets' first season, McGinnity won 26 games. He was referred to as Iron Man Joe McGinnity.

During the 1901 season, McGinnity had a slight dispute with umpire Tom Connolly. The disagreement became more intense and, unable or unwilling to control his actions, the Iron Man spat tobacco juice into the arbiter's face.

At least Roberto Alomar wasn't chewing tobacco when he sprayed umpire John Hirschbeck.

The Orioles rushed onto the field, as did the Detroit Tigers. McGinnity, two Orioles and one Tiger were ejected, but McGinnity was also arrested.

American League president Ban Johnson, who had emphasized repeatedly that the players had to be gentlemen, suspended McGinnity for life.

Shades of Shoeless Joe Jackson and Pete Rose.

Even in those days, those in authority demanded that an individual who violated inviolate rules had to show remorse. McGinnity apologized to Connolly and had his lifetime suspension reduced to 12 days.

Someone should speak to Bud Selig.

During the middle of July, 1902, McGraw and McGinnity returned to the National League as New York Giants, where they helped the Giants become one of the dominant teams.

McGinnity pitched in the majors for only 10 seasons. He won 246 games, including 31 in 1903 and 35 in 1904. He averaged an incredible 344 innings pitched a season.

In 1946, he was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans' Committee.