Charles Phillippe - Inducted 2003

Born May 23, 1872 in Rural Retreat, Va. As an infant, his family moved to South Dakota, to Ashton, north of Redfield. The winning pitcher in the first World Series game ever played, on Oct. 1, 1903, Phillippe pitched a six-hitter and struck out 10 as Pittsburgh defeated Boston 7-3. The losing pitcher that day was Cy Young. Phillippe is the only pitcher to throw five complete games in one World Series, doing so in that Series (it was then a best-of-9). A teammate of the legendary Honus Wagner, Phillippe was 3-2 in the Series and walked only three batters in 44 innings. He also pitched briefly in the 1909 Series. In his 13-year big-league career (1899 with Louisville and 1900-1911 with Pittsburgh), the 6-foot, 180-pound right-hander was 189-107 with a 2.59 ERA. He had six 20-win seasons, including a 24-7 season in 1903. His winning percentage (.639) is among the best in baseball history. So was his control: He is ninth all-time with 1.25 walks per nine innings. On May 25, 1899, he pitched a no-hitter against New York, winning 7-0. As was customary in those times, he completed 242 of his 288 starts. Phillippe was the star pitcher for Redfield's Rose Post Office town team. He was signed to a pro contract after a tryout in Mankato, Minn.