Love\'s nickname was based on his large, lean frame, at 6 ft 7.5 in (2.02 m) and 195 pounds. Upon his debut, Love became the tallest pitcher in major league history, surpassing Hippo Vaughn who stood six feet, four inches. Love remained the tallest pitcher in major league history for 69 years until Stefan Wever made his debut in 1982 at six feet, eight inches.\n', '

Love was born in 1890 in Love, Mississippi, located 30 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. He was the son of Columbus "C. C." Love and Mary Homing, and the grandson of Henry Chapel "H. C." Love and Rebecca S. (Houghton) Love.\n', '

Love began his professional baseball career in 1912 with the Memphis Turtles (later renamed the Chickasaws). According to a 1913 story published by The Washington Post, Love landed with the Turtles "on account of his bucolic disposition and odd appearance." Love travelled to Memphis and walked into a cafe owned by a friend of Turtles manager Bill Bernhard. Love ordered a drink for himself and invited all of the patrons at the bar to join him. He then boasted that he had come to Memphis from his home in Mississippi "to pitch Memphis into a pennant." The proprietor introduced Love to Bernhard who agreed to give Love a tryout. In his first appearance for Memphis, a spring exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians, Love struck out Nap Lajoie with the bases loaded. Love was then sent by Memphis to the Greenwood, Mississippi club in the Cotton States League. After a short stay in Greenwood, he returned to Memphis and was released.\n', '

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