Ed Pinkham, born in 1846, was a professional baseball pitcher who played during the early days of the sport, a time marked by the transition from the amateur era to the professionalization of baseball. His career spanned from May 8, 1871, to September 18, 1871, a brief tenure that coincided with the establishment of the National Association, the first professional baseball league. Pinkham's contributions to the game, while limited in terms of longevity, showcased the early pitching styles that would evolve over the following decades.
In his short career, Pinkham recorded a win-loss record of 1-0 with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.48, reflecting his ability to manage games effectively in an era when pitchers often faced a high volume of batters. He amassed a total of 0 strikeouts and secured 1 save, highlighting a different approach to pitching that focused more on contact management than on overpowering hitters. Although his statistical achievements may appear modest by modern standards, Pinkham's role as a pitcher during the formative years of professional baseball marked him as a part of the sport's rich history, contributing to the foundation of what would become America’s pastime.