 Getzein was known by the nickname " Pretzels " . Sources conflict as to whether the nickname was derived from his German ethnicity or from the belief that he was able to throw a " double curve " following " the curves of a pretzel . " During nine major league seasons , Getzein compiled a 145 @-@ 139 win @-@ loss record and a 3 @.@ 46 earned run average ( ERA ) . He threw 277 complete games , a total that ranks 58th in major league history . Only three pitchers threw more complete games in major league careers shorter than Getzein 's nine @-@ year career . 
