Pfiester (often and wrongly spelled Pfeister) was a Cub lefthander adroit at holding runners on base. He earned his nickname by compiling a remarkable career record of 15-5 against New York. In two starts against Christy Mathewson in 1908, however, he was first saved from defeat when Fred Merkle failed to touch second base, then was shelled in the first inning of the Cubs’ victory in the subsequent playoff game. His 1907 ERA of 1.15 ranks fifth on the all-time single-season list.
