Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Christy Mathewson

Tidewater Baseball Shrine — 2024 Inductee

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 18, 2025

1. Christy Mathewson Marker

Inscription.

Christy Mathewson. Tidewater Baseball Shrine — 2024 Inductee. Born Aug. 12, 1880 in Factoryville, Pa., Mathewson attended Bucknell University and played on the school's baseball and football teams. He signed his first pro baseball contract in 1899 - a rarity for a college-educated player in that era. , , Following his first professional season with the Taunton Herrings, Phenomenal Smith recruited Mathewson to the Norfolk Phenoms, after he finished playing football at Bucknell University. Smith first met and played against Mathewson in the 1899 season. Seeing his potential at the age of 19, Smith signed Matthewson to a contract in 1900 to play for Norfolk. , , With Norfolk and Smith, Mathewson greatly improved as a pitcher. He posted an 18-2 season, leading the league in wins and strikeouts (121). Following the Phenoms folding in the 1900 season, Mathewson was called up to the major leagues by the New York Giants. Mathewson made his New York Giants debut on July 18, 1900, and went on to win 372 games for the Giants. In 1900, he went from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Reds and back to the Giants in a round of deals that included a trade for future Hall of Fame pitcher Amos Rusie. , , Using his famous "fadeaway" pitch - what today would be called a screwball - the 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hander baffled batters with pinpoint control. He won 20 games in his first full big-league season in 1901, posted at least 30 wins a season from 1903-05 and led the National League in strikeouts five times between 1903 and 108. , , He set a modern era record for wins by an NL pitcher with 37 in 1908, a year when he completed 34 of his 44 starts en route to more than 390 innings pitched. In the postseason, Mathewson pitched three shutouts in three starts in the 1905 World Series. From 1903-14, Mathewson never won fewer than 22 games in a season and led the NL in ERA five times. , , As his career wound down, Mathewson was traded back to the Reds in 1916, finishing his career on Sept. 4 of that year in a match-up against longtime rival Three Finger Brown. In 17 seasons, Mathewson finished with 373 wins against just 188 losses - a figure that leaves him tied with Grover Cleveland Alexander for the most wins in NL history and third-most all-time. , , In 1918, Mathewson enlisted in the Army during World War I. While serving as a captain in France, he was accidentally gassed during a training exercise. He spent the next seven years battling tuberculosis and passed away on Oct. 7, 1925. , , He was one of the inaugural class of players elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

Born Aug. 12, 1880 in Factoryville, Pa., Mathewson attended Bucknell University and played on the school's baseball and football teams. He signed his first pro baseball contract in 1899 - a rarity for a college-educated player in that era.

Following his first professional season with the Taunton Herrings, Phenomenal Smith recruited Mathewson to the Norfolk Phenoms, after he finished playing football at Bucknell University. Smith first met and played against Mathewson in the 1899 season. Seeing his potential at the age of 19, Smith signed Matthewson to a contract in 1900 to play for Norfolk.

With Norfolk and Smith, Mathewson greatly improved as a pitcher. He posted an 18-2 season, leading the league in wins and strikeouts (121). Following the Phenoms folding in the 1900 season, Mathewson was called up to the major leagues by the New York Giants. Mathewson made his New York Giants debut on July 18, 1900, and went on to win 372 games for the Giants. In 1900, he went from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Reds and back to the Giants in a round of deals that included a trade for future Hall of Fame pitcher Amos Rusie.

Using his famous "fadeaway" pitch - what today would be called a screwball - the 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hander baffled batters with pinpoint control. He won 20 games in his first full

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big-league season in 1901, posted at least 30 wins a season from 1903-05 and led the National League in strikeouts five times between 1903 and 108.

He set a modern era record for wins by an NL pitcher with 37 in 1908, a year when he completed 34 of his 44 starts en route to more than 390 innings pitched. In the postseason, Mathewson pitched three shutouts in three starts in the 1905 World Series. From 1903-14, Mathewson never won fewer than 22 games in a season and led the NL in ERA five times.

As his career wound down, Mathewson was traded back to the Reds in 1916, finishing his career on Sept. 4 of that year in a match-up against longtime rival Three Finger Brown. In 17 seasons, Mathewson finished with 373 wins against just 188 losses - a figure that leaves him tied with Grover Cleveland Alexander for the most wins in NL history and third-most all-time.

In 1918, Mathewson enlisted in the Army during World War I. While serving as a captain in France, he was accidentally gassed during a training exercise. He spent the next seven years battling tuberculosis and passed away on Oct. 7, 1925.

He was one of the inaugural class of players elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

Erected by Norfolk Tides.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is August 12, 1880.

Location.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Christy Mathewson Marker

36° 50.533′ N, 76° 16.773′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is on Park Avenue 0.1 miles north of Water Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the main concourse of Harbor Park baseball stadium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 Park Avenue, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marty L. Miller (here, next to this marker); Marvin Astor Townsend III (Towny) (here, next to this marker); Henry Albert (Hank) Bauer (a few steps from this marker); Lawrence Peter (Yogi) Berra (a few steps from this marker); Edgar Garland Braxton (a few steps from this marker); William Winfield (Win) Clark (a few steps from this marker); James A. (Jim) Coates (a few steps from this marker); Daniel J. McClellan (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Regarding Christy Mathewson. The Tidewater Baseball Shrine recognizes players and executives who have significantly contributed to the game of baseball in the Tidewater area of Virginia.
The shrine is located at Harbor Park, which is home to the Norfolk Tides, a AAA minor league baseball team affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles.The Norfolk Tides annually induct new members into the shrine.

Also see . . .

Christy Mathewson image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

3. Christy Mathewson

1. Christy Mathewson - Society for American Baseball Research. (Submitted on August 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Christy Mathewson: The First Face of Baseball. (Submitted on August 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.