Pfiester (often and wrongly spelled Pfeister) was a Cub lefthander adroit at holding
runners on base. He earned his nickname by compiling a remarkable career record of
15-5 against New York. In two starts against
Christy Mathewson in 1908, however,
he was first saved from defeat when
Fred Merkle failed to touch second base, then
was shelled in the first inning of the Cubs' victory in the subsequent playoff game.
His 1907 ERA of 1.15 ranks fifth on the all-time single- season list.
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