Pitcher Nat Hudson broke in with these 1886 St. Louis Browns, who won a championship with Nat's help, and he remained there through 1889. His best season was 1888, winning 25 games with a 2.54 ERA. At the end of that season, Hudson angered his teammates by remaining in Hot Springs to rejuvenate a sore arm during their championship series against the Giants, later claiming his extensive bathing in its waters made it impossible for him to be in condition to pitch.

When Hudson continued to complain about that arm in 1889, New York suspended him for insubordination and ultimately traded the disgruntled tosser to Louisville. After refusing to report, Nat wound up with the Minneapolis Millers and remained there through 1890, where arm issues did indeed end his career.

While the SGC VG 3 grade reflects rounded corners and other technical issues that merit this grade, Nat's standing pose looks impressive in its clarity, with a bright background and interesting double-stripe cap. Modern Goodwin & Co. experts agreed with its appeal, as this card appears as #239-4's reference image on page 275 of the Old Judge photography book by Miller, Gonsowski, and Masson. Love of the Game is proud to offer several cards seen in their outstanding work of research and presentation as part of our 100+ N172 listings in this auction.