Nig Cuppy

Cuppy and Cy Young provided a one-two punch that kept the Cleveland (NL) Spiders competitive during the mid-1890s. Cuppy was at his best as a rookie in 1892, going 28-13 (2.51). He was a 20-game winner again from 1894 through 1896, compiling a 75-43 record. He led the NL with three shutouts and eight relief wins in 1894. In those days, players who had dark skin were sometimes tagged with racist nicknames; Nig Cuppy may have been one. Cuppy and Cy Young provided a one-two punch that kept the Cleveland (NL) Spiders competitive during the mid-1890s. Cuppy was at his best as a rookie in 1892, going 28-13 (2.51). He was a 20-game winner again from 1894 through 1896, compiling a 75-43 record. He led the NL with three shutouts and eight relief wins in 1894. In those days, players who had dark skin were sometimes tagged with racist nicknames; Nig Cuppy may have been one.