Good evening, This is Dead Legends. The newsletter that drops into your inbox like a 13 mph eephus pitch down the middle.

Let’s dive in.

Today’s story is about a guy who was simultaneously one of the worst and luckiest ballplayers of all time.

Charles Victor Faust, nicknamed “Victory”, played a total of two innings over the course of his entire Major League career; he is considered to be one of the most untalented players ever to have graced our game.

So how did they let this guy play in the big leagues?

Faust had a date with destiny in 1911.

He arrived at Griffith Stadium in St. Louis, where the New York Giants were playing on the road.

Faust came out from the grandstands and approached John McGraw during batting practice.

Faust told McGraw he spoke with a fortune teller back home in Kansas and, if he pitched for the club, they would win the pennant that year.

Keep in mind, Faust had no pitching ability whatsoever.

But McGraw was the superstitious type, and the Giants had not won the World Series since 1905, so he gave Faust a “mini tryout.”

Faust had a huge wind up and took forever to deliver the ball.

McGraw called for him to throw a few different pitches.

Regardless of the sign, Faust threw the ball the exact same way every time.

The ball had no velocity, and McGraw ended up tossing his glove aside and catching Faust bare handed.

Having fun at this point, McGraw asked him if he could hit.

Faust took batting practice and the team let him run the bases.

McGraw decided to take him on the road with the team.

He also let him dress in uniform and warm up before games, leading Faust to think he would play.

Toward the end of the season, after the Giants had clinched the league title, McGraw actually gave Faust some playing time.

The Giants DID win the pennant that year and Charles “Victory” Faust was invited to spring training the following season.

A few years later, Faust was committed to a mental institution where he remained for the rest of his life.

STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM

Back in ‘07, Ryan Vesler started Homage in his parents’ basement.

The idea was to make clothing that transports people back in time and connects us through those shared experiences.

They’re inspired by sports, movies, pop culture and anything else that’s considered iconic.

And these days, Ryan and his team have partnerships with everyone you can think of: MLB, NBA, NFL, WWE, and more.

Here’s a few things I’m eyeballing right now for myself:

If you like any of those here are the quick links:

• Dunder Mifflin

• MTV Checkered Logo

• Topps 1981

• Anchorman: Kind of a Big Deal

• Happy Gilmore: Just Tap It In

• ‘98 Devil Rays

• Ted Lasso Photo

• Topps Baseball: The Real One

• Comiskey Park: Baseball Palace of the World

STRANGE NAMES

If you're just joining us, we play this game every day where we try to find the weirdest names throughout baseball history.

Why? Don't ask us, it's just something we like to do.

If you've been rocking with us for awhile now, you know what time it is.

Today's winner is:

From 1928 to 1933, the only person that won more games than General Crowder was Lefty Grove.

Crowder wasn’t actually a general, but he was in the Army.

This man was a beast - he averaged over 200 innings a year, something only eight pitchers did last year

In 1933, he threw 327 innings.

Although he’s not a hall of famer, he had a great career and was able to snag a World Series ring in 1935.

THE DEAD LEGENDS ARCHIVE

If you like this story, check out some of our past favorites:

• The Mitchell Report: Baseball gets exposed

• The Death Row All Stars: Playing for dear life

• The Utility Player: Bert Campaneris plays every position