The Baseball

This is a practice baseball signed by Major League pitcher and Gettysburg native, Eddie Plank (1875-1926). The ball was purchased in 2006 by members of the College’s Board of Trustees and the Orange & Blue Club.

Eddie Plank

Plank was the first left-handed pitcher to win 200 games and the first to win 300 too. As a pro, he appeared in 622 games; winning 326. He recorded 2,246 career strikeouts, good for 49th all time. He pitched 69 shutouts and threw 410 complete games—both major-league records for left-handers. Only four pitchers ever pitched more shutouts than Plank and none were southpaws. Plank was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.

Eddie Plank and Gettysburg College

Before heading to the majors, Plank played for the Gettysburg College baseball team from 1900-1901, although he was not a student. When he retired, Plank returned to his hometown and ran a garage on the corner of Stratton and York Streets with his brother Ira (who coached baseball at the College for 35 years). In 1927, the College’s new gymnasium was named in his honor.

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Eddie Plank photos

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Curated by Musselman Library