This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2020
Presented here is one of the finest R.L. Caruthers examples from the beautiful 1887 N28 Allen & Ginter World's Champions tobacco issue. Only two others in the SGC Pop Report received a NM 7, with none higher out of 17 total graded. The next closest is EX 5. Very strong color with a sharp, photographic-like picture quality. Super clean front and back, well-centered with nice corners and smooth surface.
"Parisian Bob" Caruthers had an incredible nine-year career playing primarily for the St. Louis Browns and Brooklyn Bridegrooms of the American Association. Caruthers was one of the top pitchers in the Association, notching 175 wins with a 2.62 ERA over his six AA seasons and adding another 43 wins in the National League. A two-time 40-game winner, he pitched for five pennant winning teams. Among pitchers with 250 or more decisions, his 218 wins versus just 99 losses (.688) places him 2nd behind only Whitey Ford for the best winning percentage in MLB history. Caruthers was also a tremendous outfielder, appearing in 705 games and batting .282 lifetime with 695 hits, 508 runs scored and 359 RBI. Over a two-year stretch for the Browns (1886-87), he batted .347 with 12 HR, 25 triples, 134 RBI, 193 runs and 75 stolen bases, while also going 59-23 on the mound with a 2.78 ERA over 728 innings.