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'''John Gibson Clarkson''' (July 1, 1861 – February 4, 1909) was aan American [[Major League Baseball]] right-handed [[pitcher]]. He played from 1882 to 1894. Born in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]], Clarkson played for the [[Worcester Ruby Legs]] (1882), [[Chicago White Stockings (1870–89)|Chicago White Stockings]] (1884–1887), [[Boston Beaneaters]] (1888–1892), and [[Cleveland Spiders]] (1892–1894). Clarkson pitched the first known [[List of Major League Baseball pitchers who have thrown an immaculate inning|immaculate inning]] in MLB history on June 4, 1889 vs the [[Philadelphia Phillies#Philadelphia Quakers (1883–1889)|Philadelphia Quakers]] in the 3rd inning.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKenna |first=Brian |title=John Clarkson |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/john-clarkson/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=[[Society for American Baseball Research]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
He was elected to the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] in 1963.
[[Image:JohnClarkson.jpg|thumb|150px|left|John Clarkson]]
On April 3, 1888, the White Stockings sold Clarkson to the [[Boston Beaneaters]] for $10,000—a huge sum at the time. Clarkson followed teammate [[King Kelly]], who had been sold from Chicago to Boston the previous year . at Bostonthe hadsame paid $10,000 apiece for Kelly and Clarkson,price. andThe theytwo became known as the "$20,000 Battery." ▼===A 33-win season in 1888===
▲On April 3, 1888, the White Stockings sold Clarkson to the [[Boston Beaneaters]] for $10,000—a huge sum at the time. Clarkson followed teammate [[King Kelly]], who had been sold from Chicago to Boston the previous year. Boston had paid $10,000 apiece for Kelly and Clarkson, and they became known as the "$20,000 Battery."
Clarkson pitched five great seasons for Boston. He was 33–20 in 1888, starting 54 games and pitching 53 complete games with an ERA of 2.76.
===A 49-win season in 1889===
==Cleveland Spiders (1892–1893)==
On June 30, 1892, after 16 starts and an 8–6 record, Clarkson was released by Boston's new manager, [[Frank Selee]], released Clarkson. He was signed as a free agent by the [[Cleveland Spiders]]. Clarkson went 17–10 for the remainder of the 1892 season, for a season record of 25–16. (The Spiders’ pitching staff included [[Cy Young]], who won 36 games in 1892 and 34 games in 1893.)
Clarkson was no longer the ace with the Spiders. The Spiders’ pitching staff included [[Cy Young]], who won 36 games in 1892 and 34 games in 1893.
In 1893, Clarkson had the first losing record of his career, finishing 16–17 with a career-high ERA of 4.45.
After the 1893 season, Clarkson went on a hunting trip with his close friend [[Charlie Bennett]], who had been his catcher from 1888 to 1890. Bennett got off the train in [[Wellsville, Kansas]] and when he tried to reboard, Bennett slipped and fell under the train's wheels. Bennett lost both of his legs in the accident. Clarkson witnessed the incident, and it was said to have severely affected his already unstable nature.
In 1894, Clarkson pitched his final year in the major leagues, playingClarkson hiswent last8–10 gamein on18 Julystarts 12,for 1894,the andSpiders. finishingHe 8–10played inhis 18last startsmajor forleague thegame Spiderson July 12, 1894.
==Life after baseball==
[[Category:National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Cambridge, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:19th-century baseball players]]
[[Category:Worcester Ruby LegsWorcesters players]]
[[Category:Chicago White Stockings players]]
[[Category:Boston Beaneaters players]]
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