Amos Rusie Marquee Hall of Fame 1977

He came out of Mooresville, Indiana, and the walks arrived with the strikeouts. He led the National League in strikeouts five times and in shutouts four times, and in his first two full seasons he struck out 341 and 337 while walking 289 and 262. He appeared in 60 or more games in three of those early years.

Pitchers worked from 50 feet when he arrived, and in 1893 the distance became 60 feet 6 inches, a change his fastball is usually credited with forcing. It did not slow him. He won 36 games in 1894 with a 2.78 ERA and 195 strikeouts, and took the pitching Triple Crown.

He sat out the entire 1896 season rather than accept a fine from the Giants' owner, and came back only after other clubs put up the money he was owed. Arm trouble cost him 1899 and 1900. Cincinnati gave up a young Christy Mathewson to get him, then watched him pitch three games and stop. The Hall of Fame elected him in 1977.