Tom Dougherty was a professional baseball pitcher born in 1881, who had a brief career in Major League Baseball. He played for a single day on April 24, 1904, showcasing his skills during a time when the game was evolving from the deadball era into a more offensively-minded style. Despite the short duration of his career, Dougherty made his mark by finishing with an impressive record of 1-0 and an extraordinary earned run average (ERA) of 0.0, indicating that he did not allow any earned runs during his time on the mound.
Dougherty’s career statistics also reflected his limited playing time, as he recorded no strikeouts or saves. His fleeting appearance in the big leagues serves as a reminder of the countless players whose careers were often cut short or overshadowed by contemporaries. While he may not have achieved long-term success or notoriety, Dougherty's perfect record remains a unique footnote in the annals of baseball history, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the sport and the fleeting opportunities that players sometimes encounter.
