Story perspectives

Baseball Historian Pushes for Creighton's Hall of Fame Induction

3/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Baseball historian Thomas Gilbert argues in Death in the Strike Zone that James Creighton's innovative pitching transformed the game.
Creighton, who pitched for the Brooklyn Excelsiors, died at 21 in 1862 and is believed to have thrown the first curveball.
Gilbert notes the Excelsiors overworked Creighton, contributing to his death from a medical condition.
He advocates Creighton's induction into the Hall of Fame, emphasizing his substantial impact on baseball.

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Story summary

Baseball historian Thomas Gilbert argues in Death in the Strike Zone that James Creighton's innovative pitching transformed the game.
Creighton, who pitched for the Brooklyn Excelsiors, died at 21 in 1862 and is believed to have thrown the first curveball.
Gilbert notes the Excelsiors overworked Creighton, contributing to his death from a medical condition.
He advocates Creighton's induction into the Hall of Fame, emphasizing his substantial impact on baseball.