Biography of Candy Cummings

William Arthur “Candy” Cummings (October 18, 1848 – May 16, 1924) was a 19th century professional baseball pitcher in the National Association and National League. Cummings had a brief but influential career. During a career which lasted from 1872 until 1877, Cummings compiled a 145-94 career record and 2.49 ERA while playing for five different teams. He is credited with being the first pitcher to throw a curveball, which he first threw at a game in Worcester, Massachusetts while playing for the Brooklyn Stars.

Cummings was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.