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The Legend of Billy the Kid

Cavs Young Two-Way Man Looks to Make His Mark as a Rookie

Back in the day – long before ESPN or Bleacher Report or SB Nation – when Sports Illustrated was THE authority for written sports features, there was a famous piece written by acclaimed author George Plimpton about the New York Mets signing a reclusive baseball prodigy named Sidd Finch.

In 1985, long before the internet, it was entirely possible for a youngster like Sidd Finch to somehow fly under the radar. But this prospect was like no one anyone had ever heard of. According to Plimpton’s article, Finch could throw an 168mph fastball with pinpoint precision, wore only one shoe (a hiker’s boot) while pitching and was the adopted son of an archaeologist who died in a plane crash over Nepal.