Nap Rucker
George Napoleon "Nap" Rucker was an American professional baseball pitcher and politician from Georgia. Rucker was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Superbas/Dodgers/Robins. Over his 10 seasons, Rucker led the league in shutouts, complete games, and innings pitched throughout his career. On September 5, 1908, Rucker became the first left-handed pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Dodger history.
Early years
Rucker was born in Crabapple, Georgia, to parents Sarah Hembree and John Rucker, a Confederate veteran. He dropped out of school and became an apprentice printer. Inspired by a headline he worked on entitled "$10,000 For Pitching a Baseball", Rucker pursued a minor league career.Professional baseball
Minor league
In 1904. Rucker played with the Atlanta Crackers in the Southern Association. He then spent the following two years playing for the Augusta Tourists in the South Atlantic League and compiled a 40–20 win–loss record during that span. Rucker also roomed with Ty Cobb during his time with the Tourists.Major league (1907–1916)
Rucker played for the Brooklyn Superbas for his entire major league career. Rucker threw a no-hitter against the Boston Doves on September 5, 1908. He led the National League in complete games, innings pitched, and shutouts in 1910. His best year was 1911, when he won 22 games for the Dodgers. He holds the Brooklyn Dodgers record for the most shutouts in the National League ; most strikeouts in a regulation nine-inning game, and the most 1-0 shutouts in a 154-game season. He became strictly a knuckleball pitcher when his speed declined.Hall of Fame candidacy
In 1936, Rucker became eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. As a player who received more than 5.0% of votes cast, Rucker remained eligible for induction by the Baseball Writers' Association of America until 1946, when his time on the ballot expired after 10 unsuccessful appearances. His highest percentage of votes earned came in his final year on the ballot, receiving 6.4% of the vote in 1946.Following his unsuccessful nominations, Yankees Hall of Fame manager, Casey Stengel, said about Rucker, "If it hadn't been for Nap, I reckon I wouldn't be manager of the Yankees now. I wouldn't have even stayed in baseball."