Silver King, born Charles Frederick Koenig, was a right-handed pitcher whose career in Major League Baseball spanned over a decade during the late 19th century. Known for his unique delivery and impressive speed, King became one of the most effective pitchers of his era. His career began with the Kansas City Cowboys of the National League in 1886, where he quickly demonstrated his pitching prowess.

In 1887, King joined the St. Louis Browns of the American Association, where he truly began to shine. During his time with the Browns, he became known for his unorthodox pitching style, which included a sidearm delivery that baffled many batters. His performance in the 1888 season was particularly remarkable, as he led the league with a 1.64 ERA and secured 45 wins, a feat that remains one of the highest single-season win totals in baseball history.

King's success continued with the Browns, and in 1889, he helped lead the team to an American Association pennant. His ability to maintain a low ERA and accumulate strikeouts made him a valuable asset to the team. However, the dissolution of the American Association in 1891 led King to transition to the National League, where he joined the Chicago Colts.

While with the Colts, King continued to perform at a high level, though his win totals began to decline as the league's competition intensified. In 1893, he moved to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he played for two seasons. During his tenure with the Pirates, King adapted to the changing dynamics of the game, which included the introduction of a pitching distance increase from 50 feet to 60 feet 6 inches. Despite these changes, he managed to maintain respectable statistics.

King's career saw him play for several other teams, including the New York Giants and the Washington Senators. His final years in the league were spent with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he concluded his major league career in 1897. Over the course of his career, King accumulated 203 wins, a testament to his skill and endurance as a pitcher.

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