“Big Buff” was an ace in the days of minimal pitching staffs. A righthander noted for his “downer” (a sinking, overhand curve), Buffinton was key in Boston’s 1883 pennant, combining with Grasshopper Jim Whitney for 61 of the team’s 63 wins. Two years later, they were responsible for 59 of its 66 losses. Buff’s best year came in between: 47 victories, 2.15 ERA, and 63 complete games. He struck out 17 Clevelanders in one game, eight of them in a row. For part of 1890, he managed Philadelphia’s Players’ League team. He led the American Association with a .757 winning percentage (28-9) in 1891, but retired with Baltimore in 1892 rather than take an NL-ordered mid-season salary cut.
