Michael “Kid” Madden was born in Portland Maine in 1866 and despite his slight frame (he stood 5-foot-7 124 pounds) was quite a pitcher. Known for a dizzying array of curveballs Madden developed his reputation as a teenager and at just 19 latched on with Portland of the New England League. After defeating the Boston Red Stockings in an exhibition game Boston manager John Morrill signed the young pitcher for the 1887 season. That year Madden would win 21 games and lead his team with a 3.79 ERA. By the end of his rookie season Madden was a bona-fide star and was featured on seven different Old Judge cards during his time in the majors. Madden never duplicated the success of his first season; it is unknown why he pitched considerably less often in his second and third season as he did in his first but in 1890 he jumped to Boston’s Player’s League team spending 1891 with Boston and Baltimore of the American Association. He moved between several minor league teams until retiring due to ill health. He passed away at just 29 due to complications from tuberculosis. Exceptional example of card #288-1 the portrait of young Madden graded Authentic by SGC perhaps due to a slight trim a pronounced tear also evident on the card but not enough to detract from the quality of the image.