Hub Perdue was one of the most personable and exciting people who exhibited a light-hearted personality and liked to joke around on and off the baseball field.

In 1905 Hub pitched for South Kentucky College, tossed a one-hitter, and struck out 21 batters. In March 1907 he arrived in West Baden, Indiana, a resort community and home to the Cubs’ spring training facility. Hub struggled against major-league hitters, however, so manager Frank Chance turned him over to their Nashville club.

In 1909, Perdue dominated the entire circuit with 23 victories and was picked up by the Boston Rustlers (soon to become the Braves).

Continued elbow soreness in 1910, revealed a chipped bone that was causing inflammation. Surgery was performed and Hub rehabbed for more than a month. By the end of his first season in the majors, he had a 6-10 record and a 4.98 ERA.

Hub was perceived as a cool pitcher who worked best when in trouble. He emerged as an ace in the Braves staff in 1912. Despite missing more than 20 days, he led the pitching staff with 13 wins. On the forgettable side, he led the National League in home runs allowed.

In 1913 the Braves welcomed the selection of George Stallings as their newest skipper. Stallings was a no-nonsense individual and Hub's gregarious personality landed him in the Stallings dog house on many occasions. But Hub prospered under his new manager and claimed several personal bests. He established his first winning record in the majors (16-13) and whittled down his ERA to 3.26.

Before the start of spring training in 1914, Stallings directed Hub Perdue and others to report early to Hot Springs, Arkansas, to make use of the hot baths. There, Hub was approached by an unidentified agent who offered him a substantial salary increase to jump to the Federal League. Stallings got wind of it and had a court injunction and a deputy sheriff, informing the agent that he had violated Georgia state law regarding legal contracts.

Hub was winless in the first month of the 1914 season and his ERA ballooned to over 5.00. But when umpire Bill Klem confiscated eight baseballs allegedly “tampered” with by Perdue and sent them to President Tener for inspection, Stallings blew his top. If you're not winning, the joking around was not funny. Stallings was done with him and four days later Perdue and his abysmal 2-5 record were traded to St. Louis.

At first, he felt no regret about his trade to St. Louis. He felt it was worth the lost money to be out of the reach of Stallings’ sharp tongue. The Braves won the World Series without Hub Perdue.

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Hub Perdue (pic)