Right-handed pitcher John Clarkson passed away on February 4, 1909 at the age of 47 from pneumonia. Over the course of his major league career, Clarkson compiled a 328–178 record, placing him twelfth on the MLB list of all-time wins. He pitched over 600 innings in a season twice and won a career-high 53 games in 1885. At the time of his retirement from baseball, Clarkson was the winningest pitcher in National League history. John Clarkson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1963 by the Veteran’s Committee.
John Clarkson, 1887 Old Judge Cigarettes baseball card (Library of Congress / public domain)