| One of early professional baseball's greatest pitchers, Charlie Buffinton compiled a stunning 48-16 win/loss record with a 2.15 earned run average in 1884 for the Boston Red Stocking of the National League, whose nickname was later changed to the Boston Braves. That season, 1884, the 6-ft, 1-inch, 180-pound Buffinton completed 63 of 67 starts, played outfield in 13 games and manned first base in 11 additional games, and batted .267, with 18 doubles, 3 triples, one home run, scored 48 runs, with 39 RBIs for a Boston team who posted a 73-38 record, a second place finish, 10.5 games behind the Providence Grays. Possessing one of the finest drop curve balls of all time, Charlie Buffinton collected seven 20 win seasons and fashioned a 233-152 lifetime record in an 11 year major league career. Born in Fall River Massachusetts on June 14 1861 Listen Up Fans! In 1883, his first full major league season, for Boston of the National League Charlie Buffinton pitched 41 complete games, worked 333 innings, had a 24-13 record? and then, in 1884, he sparkled and became one of the big name East Coast baseball stars. His stats for that season include a career high 417 strikeouts in a whooping 587 innings, and his 48-16 record. Nicknamed Big Buff, in 1889 he worked 434 1/3 innings, and posted a losing record of 22-27. After developing arm trouble in 1886, going 8-10, he was released by the Boston Red Stockings, later the Braves. Charlie Buffinton was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1887 and regained his arm strength and vaulted to mound stardom again, going 21-17, 28-17 and 27-17 from 1987-1889, including two straight one-hitters in 1887. Early Professional Baseball History: Buffinton inked a contract for more money in 1890 signing to pitch in the Players League with Philadelphia. Then, signed with Boston of the American Association, a major league during this era. He took command of the pitching mound and led the Bosdton team to the league's pennant with a 28-9 record, a league leading .757 winning percentage. After the American Association folded due to a cash flow shortage, Charlie Buffinton joined the Baltimore Orioles of the National League in 1892. After staring slowing with a 5-8 record he was ordered to take a pay cut, and Big Buff said, No Thanks - and never pitched in the majors again, instead returned to River Fall MA and went into his own business. Charles Buffinton career stats: 233-152 record, 2.96 ERA, 414 Games, 396 GS, 351 GC, 30 Shutouts, 3344 hits in 3404 innings, 1700 Ks, 856 Walks, .246 opponents batting average. Career batting: .245 BA, 543 hits in 2214 at bats, 245 Runs, 255 RBIs, 114 Ks, 91 Walks. Baseball Historian - Early Baseball History 1880s | 
