When Tim Keefe retired in 1893, his 342 career wins were second all-time. Only Pud Galvin had more. Today more than a century after Keefe threw his last pitch, his win total remains in the top-10 in big league history. One of the pitchers now ahead of Keefe’s on the list is the great Christy Mathewson.

In the collection is this letter written by Mathewson’s primary catcher, Chief Myers. It’s dated May 19, 1914 the same day Matty won his 342nd game to tie Keefe. On Goldsmith’s Sons Sporting Goods letterhead, Meyers writes, “In the game today, with the Cincinnati club with Mathewson pitching, I used the Model C.M. Catcher’s Mitt, made for me by your firm yesterday”

“In my many years of experience, I have never had a Catchers Mitt that I could use without extensive breaking in.

“The perfect balance, deep pocket, and excellent leather make it The Finest Mitt I have ever caught with.”

Working on three days rest, Matty threw a complete game – his fourth in the last 23 days – to gain the decision. By the time he retired, Mathewson would tally 373 victories – a total equaled by Pete Alexander and surpassed only by  Cy Young (511), and Walter Johnson (417).

With Hall of Famer Harry Wright as their manager, the Boston Red Stockings faced the Troy Trojans on 9/29/1881 with Hall of Fame pitcher Tim Keefe on the hill. In the collection is Wright’s scorecard from that day filled out entirely in his hand and initialed “HW” in the space provided to identify the scorekeeper. Along with Keefe who batted eighth in the Troy lineup is Roger Connor who was the career home run leader before the emergence of Babe Ruth. Born before the start of the US Civil War, Keefe’s signature remains elusive for even the most advanced collectors. His autograph is not yet in the collection.

Turning to the Boston side of Harry Wright’s scorecard we see the Red Stockings lineup. Wright guided his club to a 10-3 win over the Trojans with Hall of Fame pitcher Tim Keefe taking one of his 27 losses that season. Keefe would quickly turn things around averaging more than 35 wins per season from 1883-1889, posting a total of 250 wins during the seven-year run.

Tim Keefe won 342 games during his 14-year Major League career. He was the second 300-game winner in big league history and retired #2 on the all-time wins list. He broke into the majors in 1880 along with fellow rookie and eventual 300-game winner Mickey Welch.

The Troy roster was stocked with five future Hall of Famers. In addition to the pair of aces, the Trojans boasted five-time batting champion Dan Brouthers at first base, across the diamond at third was baseball’s career home run leader from 1895-1921 Roger Connor, and behind the plate was the greatest catcher of the 19^th century Buck Ewing.

Keefe and Welch not only broke in during the same year, they also entered the 300-win club together ten years later won his 300^th game in June of 1890, while Welch tallied his milestone win in July of the same year.

In the collection is this letter from Troy Trojans team president and owner Gardner Earl. Dated October 12, 1880, the same year as the pitchers debuted, the letter was sent to National League President William Hulbert, himself a Cooperstown man. Baseball correspondence from the 1800s remain difficult to find. Such documents involving team owners and Hall of Famers remain absorbed into collections and are rarely seen or available.