Charlie Buffinton

Played For
Boston Braves (1882-1886)
Philadelphia Phillies (1887-1889)
Boston Reds, American Association (1891)
Baltimore Orioles, National League (1892)

Managed
Philadelphia Athletics, Players League (1890)

Best Season: 1884
The solidly built right-hander started 67 games, completing 63, on his way to a 48-16 record. He struck out 417, walked 76, and had a 2.15 ERA in 587 innings pitched. Because "Old Hoss" Radbourn enjoyed an even more remarkable season, Buffinton failed to lead the league in any category.

Full Bio
Charles G. Buffinton was born in the mining community of Fall River, Massachussets, on June 14, 1861. By the time he was 17 years old, he was the best "base ball player" in the region. He played as a catcher for the local nine, until a blow to the eye ended his career behind the plate. Late in the summer of 1882, the 21-year old was recruited by the Boston Red Caps of the National League as a pitcher. In five games, Buffinton gave little indication of his future success, winning twice anjd surrendering 67 baserunners via hit or walk in 42 innings pitched. In 1883, Buffinton took advantage of the new rule which allowed hurlers to toss with an overhand delivery. Soon, he was using his "drop ball," which was an early form of the curveball, to baffle enemy batters. In his first full pro campaign, Buffinton went 25-14 for Boston, combining with "Grasshopper" Whitney to pitch the team to the NL pennant. The next season, Buffinton enjoyed his best year, winning 48 and pitching 63 complete games. Only "Old Hoss" Radbourn's 60 wins eclipsed Buffinton's efforts. That year, Buffinton strung together a 13-game winning streak, pitched a no-hitter (which he lost!), and fanned 17 batters in one game. In one contest, where he was matched against Radbourn, Buffinton twirled 16 innings before the game was called a 1-1 tie. After two more stellar seasons, Buffinton suffered an arm injury sometime in 1886, which limited him to 17 starts and a 7-10 record. Released by Boston, he caught on with Philadelphia, where he rebounded to win 20 games or more in three straight seasons (1887-1889). In 1887, Buffinton pitched back-to-back one-hitters for the Quakers. In 1890, Buffinton won a suit against his employers and secured his release from his contract, freeing him to play for the rebel Players League. As a player/manager for the Philadelphia entry, Charlie won 19 games but found himself unemployed when the league folded after one season. In 1891, Buffinton, like others who had dared played in the Players League, was blackballed from the NL. Still wishing to make a living throwing his curveballs, he caught on with the Reds of the American Association, winning 29 games and leading them to the pennant. Unfortunately, the American Association folded after that season, and Buffinton was without a team again. In 1892 Buffinton started the season with the Orioles of the NL, apparently forgiven for his Players League revolt, but he didn't last long. With a 4-8 record for the worst team in the league, Buffinton retired after 13 starts, apparently for several reasons that included a dispute over his salary. His days a ballplayer over, Buffinton returned to Fall River, where along with the rest of the community, he was shocked when Lizzie Borden killed both of her parents at their residence on Second Street, in early August. The ensuing trial grabbed the nation's attention, but Buffinton's final years in the small town were far less noteworthy. Taking some of the money he had earned as a ballplayer, Buffinton invested in coal and cotton, and became a respected businessman in Fall River. On September 23, 1907, at the relatively young age of 46, he died suddenly from heart failure one day before he was to undergo surgery on his gall bladder.

Born
Charles G. Buffinton was born on June 14, 1861, in

Died
September 23, 1907, Fall River, MA

Batted:  Right
Threw:  Right

Primary Position:  P

Primary Team:  BSN

Major League Debut
May 17, 1882

Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1882
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Nicknames
Buff

Similar Players
Clark Griffith, Jim McCormick

Related Players
Charles Radbourn, who Buffinton faced several times during his career. In 1884, as Radbourn drew headlines with his 60-win season, Buffinton notched 48 victories for the Beaneaters. That year, Buffinton pitched an incredible 587 innings and struck out 417 batters.

Feats
In 1884, Buffinton won 13 straight games… On August 9, 1884, Buffinton lost a game 2-1, despite pitching a no-hitter… In 1891, pitching in his first game for the Reds of the soon-to-be-defunct American Association, Buffinton won his 200th game.

Pitching Feats

• , 1884: ...

Best Strength as a Player
Buffinton was credited with one of the best off-speed pitches of the 1880s. "There isn't a ball tosser in the country today who has more deceptive curves," one sportswriter wrote. Another said that Buffinton's "perplexing curve explodes in the dirt and gives catchers a workout."

Largest Weakness as a Player
Even by the standards of the 1880s, Buffinton was a shaky defensive player. In 1883 he made 20 errors in 82 chances for Boston. In 137 games played in the outfield, Buffinton committed 62 errors for a .727 fielding mark.

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