This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/20/2011
Rusie was discovered playing semi professional ball in Indianapolis playing for the Sturm Avenue "Never Sweats" and eventually made his debut as an 18 year old for the Indianapolis Hoosiers of the NL in 1889. The Hoosiers disbanded at the conclusion of the 1889 season, and on March 22, 1890, he, along with many of his teammates, were transferred to the New York Giants by the league to strengthen the NL's largest market. Rusie quickly became a sensation among fans, media, and society due to the combination of his pitching velocity and physical size at 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound, which was considered large for the era. The fans began calling him the "Hoosier Thunderbolt", while famed vaudeville act Weber and Fields used his name, a paperback book, Secrets of Amos Rusie, The World's Greatest Pitcher, How He Obtained His Incredible Speed on Balls, was available for a quarter, a drink was named after him, and received a message from the popular performer Lillian Russell. The featured collectible provides a solid image of the HOF hurler in a somewhat lighter presentation. Each of the four corners shows a mild rounding but still posses an angular depiction. The centering is astute while the reverse is a creamy unblemished white that assuredly holds up its end of this stunning rendition. Offered in solid and pleasing VG condition.