Willard Mains

Who was Willard Mains?

Willard Eben Mains was an American professional baseball pitcher. He joined the National League at the age of 19 with the Chicago White Stockings, started two games in 1888, winning one and losing the other. After that season, he didn't return to the Majors until 1891, when he pitched in 30 games, starting 23 of them, for the Cincinnati Kelly's Killers of the American Association. He had a record of 12-12 with 20 complete games before he moved on and pitched two games for the Milwaukee Brewers, also of the Association. He wasn't seen again in the Major Leagues again until five years later when he surfaced for the 1896 Boston Beaneaters, with whom he pitched in eight games, winning three games, losing two. His son, Jim Mains pitched one game in the majors, for the 1943 Philadelphia Athletics.

Mains had a long career in minor league baseball, where he recorded a record of 318 wins and 179 losses in 545 games. Willard died at the age of 54 in Bridgton, Maine, and interred at South High Street Cemetery in Bridgton.