Loading ...On May 6, 1892, the Reds and the Boston Beaneaters battled to a 0-0 tie in a pitcher’s duel between Boston future HOF pitcher John Clarkson and Reds starter Elton “Icebox” Chamberlain. Apparently, the sunlight was so dazzling and at such an angle, it was blinding to both hitter and pitcher.
Chamberlain was 19-23 for the 1892 Reds, starting 52 games and completing 49 of them. This was the last year of the 50 foot distance between pitcher and batter before the National League increased the distance to 60′6″ for the 1893 season. Chamberlain won 159 big league games, 45 with the Reds.
Hall of Famer Clarkson, who won 53 games one year and 49 in another season, won 25 games in 1892, 8 for the Beaneaters and 17 for the Cleveland Spiders. Clarkson won 328 lifetime games
In Paintsville, KY, the high school team used to play on the old Paintsville Yankees field from their days in the Appy League. They would have to routinely stop the game due to sunlight because the field was poorly designed and the sun would blind the batters as it went down.
ok, you got me there. I’ve never heard of such a thing in my life.
Forgot this when I wrote the game due to sun post, but the following year Chamberlain pitched a game-shortened no-hitter that was called due to ….darkness.