Despite his mercurial talent, it is probable that Waddell, if he lived today, would never play in the Major Leagues. Instead he would be shunted off to compete with rubber tipped javelins in mentally handicapped games.
Waddell was a tragic, frustrating, impossible, heroic figure of the early 20th century, coupling what was likely a form of Downs Syndrome with a mammoth thirst for alcohol and an ungovernable temper.
His great years came with the A's before even the ever-patient Connie Mack had enough of him, but he still had enough left to be effective with a bad Browns team.
