Hoyt Wilhelm
Encyclopedia
James Hoyt Wilhelm was an American
Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.
Wilhelm was best known for his knuckleball
, which enabled him to have great longevity; occasionally as a starting pitcher, but mainly as a specialist relief
man (in which role he won 124 games, still the record for relief pitchers). He is recognized as the first pitcher to have saved
200 games in his career, and the first pitcher to appear in 1,000 games. He is also one of the oldest players to have pitched in the major leagues; his final appearance was 16 days short of his 50th birthday.
while playing high school baseball in Huntersville, North Carolina
.
Wilhelm served in the United States Army
in the European Theater during World War II
. Wilhelm participated in the Battle of the Bulge
, where he was wounded, earning the Purple Heart
for his actions. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant
. Because of his military service, he was nicknamed "Ol' Sarge".
from the Mooresville
Moors of the Class-D North Carolina State League
. On November 20, 1947, Wilhelm was drafted by the New York Giants
from the Braves in the 1947 minor league draft.
Wilhelm made his MLB debut with the Giants on April 18, 1952. Pitching exclusively in relief, Wilhelm led the National League
with a 2.43 earned run average
(ERA) in 1952. On April 23, 1952, in his second game with the New York Giants, Wilhelm came to the plate for the first time in the majors. Facing rookie Dick Hoover
of the Boston Braves
, Wilhelm swung and sliced a home run over the short right-field fence at the Polo Grounds
. Although he played 21 seasons and went to bat a total of 432 times in his career, he never hit another home run.
On February 26, 1957, Wilhelm was traded by the Giants to the St. Louis Cardinals
for Whitey Lockman
. On September 21, 1957, he was selected off waivers by the Cleveland Indians
from the Cardinals.
In 1958, Cleveland manager Bobby Bragan
used Wilhelm occasionally as a starter. Although he had a 2.49 ERA, none of the Indians' catcher
s could handle Wilhelm's knuckleball. General manager Frank Lane
, alarmed at the large number of passed ball
s, allowed the Baltimore Orioles
to select Wilhelm off waivers on August 23, 1958.
On September 20, 1958, Wilhelm threw a no-hitter
against the New York Yankees
. He allowed two baserunners on walks and struck out eight.
On August 6, 1959, Wilhelm nearly pitched a rare no-hitter in relief. Relieving Billy O'Dell
at the start of the ninth inning, Wilhelm held the White Sox hitless for innings before finally surrendering a hit in the 17th. Only Ernie Shore
ever fashioned a longer spell of no-hit relief.
Orioles catchers set an MLB record with 49 passed balls in 1959. However, he also won the American League
ERA title with a 2.19 ERA. During the 1960 season, Orioles manager Paul Richards
kept Wilhelm in the rotation, and devised a larger mitt so his catchers could handle the knuckleball.
On January 14, 1963, Wilhelm was traded by the Orioles with Ron Hansen
, Dave Nicholson
and Pete Ward
to the Chicago White Sox
for Luis Aparicio
and Al Smith.
On October 15, 1968, Wilhelm was chosen in the 1968 expansion draft
by the Kansas City Royals
from the White Sox as the 49th pick. That offseason, he was traded by the Royals to the California Angels
for Ed Kirkpatrick
and Dennis Paepke
. Wilhelm set MLB records with the most consecutive errorless games for a pitcher, games pitched for a relief pitcher, most career victories in relief, most games finished, most innings pitched in relief, and most games pitched during the 1968 season.
On September 8, 1969, Wilhelm was traded by the Angels with Bob Priddy
to the Atlanta Braves
for Clint Compton
and Mickey Rivers
. On September 21, 1970, he was selected off waivers by the Chicago Cubs
, and then traded back by the Cubs to the Braves for Hal Breeden
after the season. As the Cubs acquired Wilhelm late in the season to bolster their playoff contention, which was a source of controversy, Commissioner
Bowie Kuhn
investigated the transaction.
Wilhelm was released by the Braves on June 29, 1971. He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
on July 10, 1971, but they released him on July 21, 1972. At the time of his retirement, Wilhelm pitched in a then-MLB record 1,070 games.
, Wilhelm is considered by many as one of the greatest knuckleballers to have played the game.
after his retirement.
directed movie 61*, Wilhelm was portrayed by fellow knuckleball pitcher Tom Candiotti
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.
Wilhelm was best known for his knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
, which enabled him to have great longevity; occasionally as a starting pitcher, but mainly as a specialist relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
man (in which role he won 124 games, still the record for relief pitchers). He is recognized as the first pitcher to have saved
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
200 games in his career, and the first pitcher to appear in 1,000 games. He is also one of the oldest players to have pitched in the major leagues; his final appearance was 16 days short of his 50th birthday.
Early life
Wilhelm began experimenting with a knuckleball after reading about Dutch LeonardDutch Leonard
Dutch Leonard may refer to:* Dutch Leonard , Hubert Benjamin "Dutch" Leonard, , left-handed pitcher who played between 1913 & 1925...
while playing high school baseball in Huntersville, North Carolina
Huntersville, North Carolina
Huntersville is a large town in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties, North Carolina, United States. The population was 46,773 at the 2010 census, which makes Huntersville the 19th largest city in North Carolina. It is located about 12 miles north of uptown Charlotte. It is thought that the town...
.
Wilhelm served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in the European Theater during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Wilhelm participated in the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
, where he was wounded, earning the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
for his actions. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
. Because of his military service, he was nicknamed "Ol' Sarge".
Career
In 1947, Wilhelm was purchased by the Boston BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
from the Mooresville
Mooresville, North Carolina
Mooresville is a large suburban town in southern Iredell County, North Carolina, USA. It is in the Metrolina metro area. The population was 32,133 at the 2010 United States Census...
Moors of the Class-D North Carolina State League
North Carolina State League
The North Carolina State League was a "Class D" league in Minor League Baseball. The original version of the league existed from 1913-1917 as the successor to the Carolina Association...
. On November 20, 1947, Wilhelm was drafted by the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
from the Braves in the 1947 minor league draft.
Wilhelm made his MLB debut with the Giants on April 18, 1952. Pitching exclusively in relief, Wilhelm led the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with a 2.43 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(ERA) in 1952. On April 23, 1952, in his second game with the New York Giants, Wilhelm came to the plate for the first time in the majors. Facing rookie Dick Hoover
Dick Hoover (baseball)
Richard Lloyd Hoover was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Braves during the 1952 season. Listed at 6' 0", 170 lb., he batted and threw left-handed....
of the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Wilhelm swung and sliced a home run over the short right-field fence at the Polo Grounds
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
. Although he played 21 seasons and went to bat a total of 432 times in his career, he never hit another home run.
On February 26, 1957, Wilhelm was traded by the Giants to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Whitey Lockman
Whitey Lockman
Carroll Walter "Whitey" Lockman was a player, coach, manager and front office executive in American Major League Baseball.-Role in miraculous 1951 comeback:...
. On September 21, 1957, he was selected off waivers by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
from the Cardinals.
In 1958, Cleveland manager Bobby Bragan
Bobby Bragan
Robert Randall Bragan was a shortstop, catcher, manager, and coach in American Major League Baseball. He also was an influential executive in minor league baseball...
used Wilhelm occasionally as a starter. Although he had a 2.49 ERA, none of the Indians' catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
s could handle Wilhelm's knuckleball. General manager Frank Lane
Frank Lane
Frank Lane was an American executive in professional baseball, most notably serving as a general manager in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, St...
, alarmed at the large number of passed ball
Passed ball
In baseball, a catcher is charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or control a legally pitched ball that, with ordinary effort, should have been maintained under his control. When, as a result of this loss of control, the batter or a runner on base advances, the catcher is thereby charged...
s, allowed the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
to select Wilhelm off waivers on August 23, 1958.
On September 20, 1958, Wilhelm threw a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. He allowed two baserunners on walks and struck out eight.
On August 6, 1959, Wilhelm nearly pitched a rare no-hitter in relief. Relieving Billy O'Dell
Billy O'Dell
William Oliver O'Dell , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1954 and 1956-1967...
at the start of the ninth inning, Wilhelm held the White Sox hitless for innings before finally surrendering a hit in the 17th. Only Ernie Shore
Ernie Shore
Ernest Grady Shore was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox during some of their best years in the 1910s....
ever fashioned a longer spell of no-hit relief.
Orioles catchers set an MLB record with 49 passed balls in 1959. However, he also won the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
ERA title with a 2.19 ERA. During the 1960 season, Orioles manager Paul Richards
Paul Richards (baseball)
Paul Rapier Richards was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and executive in Major League Baseball. During his playing career, he was a catcher and right-handed batter with the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
kept Wilhelm in the rotation, and devised a larger mitt so his catchers could handle the knuckleball.
On January 14, 1963, Wilhelm was traded by the Orioles with Ron Hansen
Ron Hansen
Ron Hansen may refer to:*Ron Hansen , American novelist*Ron Hansen , Canadian politician*Ron Hansen , baseball player*Ron Hansen...
, Dave Nicholson
Dave Nicholson
David Lawrence Nicholson is a former outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves , known for his towering, although infrequent, home runs...
and Pete Ward
Pete Ward
Peter Thomas Ward is a retired professional baseball player who played 9 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball...
to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Luis Aparicio
Luis Aparicio
Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel is a former shortstop in professional baseball. His career in Major League Baseball spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
and Al Smith.
On October 15, 1968, Wilhelm was chosen in the 1968 expansion draft
1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft
The 1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft was conducted to stock up the rosters of four expansion teams in Major League Baseball which would begin play in the 1969 season....
by the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
from the White Sox as the 49th pick. That offseason, he was traded by the Royals to the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for Ed Kirkpatrick
Ed Kirkpatrick
Edgar Leon Kirkpatrick , nicknamed "Spanky", was a baseball utility player for the Los Angeles/California Angels , Kansas City Royals , Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , and Milwaukee Brewers .He helped the Pirates win the National League Eastern Division in 1974 and 1975...
and Dennis Paepke
Dennis Paepke
Dennis Ray Paepke is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for four seasons. He played for the Kansas City Royals in 1969, 1971, 1972, and 1974, playing in 80 career games.-External links:...
. Wilhelm set MLB records with the most consecutive errorless games for a pitcher, games pitched for a relief pitcher, most career victories in relief, most games finished, most innings pitched in relief, and most games pitched during the 1968 season.
On September 8, 1969, Wilhelm was traded by the Angels with Bob Priddy
Bob Priddy
Robert Simpson Priddy is a retired American professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1962 to 1971, with the exception of the 1973 season. Priddy batted right-handed, stood tall and weighed . He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Clint Compton
Clint Compton
Robert Clinton Compton was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs. Compton's entire major-league career consisted of a two-inning appearance during the Cubs' October 3, 1972 game against the Philadelphia Phillies.Compton was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1968 MLB...
and Mickey Rivers
Mickey Rivers
John Milton "Mickey" Rivers is a former Major League Baseball player from 1970-1984 for the California Angels, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers...
. On September 21, 1970, he was selected off waivers by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, and then traded back by the Cubs to the Braves for Hal Breeden
Hal Breeden
Harold Noel "Hal" Breeden is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Hal was a rarity in that he was a right-handed hitter who threw left-handed. He is also the brother of catcher Danny Breeden....
after the season. As the Cubs acquired Wilhelm late in the season to bolster their playoff contention, which was a source of controversy, Commissioner
Commissioner of Baseball
The Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball and its associated minor leagues. Under the direction of the Commissioner, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball hires and maintains the sport's umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts...
Bowie Kuhn
Bowie Kuhn
Bowie Kent Kuhn was an American lawyer and sports administrator who served as the fifth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, , to September 30,...
investigated the transaction.
Wilhelm was released by the Braves on June 29, 1971. He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
on July 10, 1971, but they released him on July 21, 1972. At the time of his retirement, Wilhelm pitched in a then-MLB record 1,070 games.
Career perspective
His success as a reliever helped the gradual change in usage patterns of pitchers, and the popularity of the concept of a "relief ace." Wilhelm was the first relief pitcher elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Along with Phil NiekroPhil Niekro
Philip Henry Niekro , nicknamed "Knucksie" because of his usage and skill level with the knuckleball, is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997....
, Wilhelm is considered by many as one of the greatest knuckleballers to have played the game.
Post-playing career
Wilhelm worked as a minor league pitching coachCoach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
after his retirement.
In other media
In the Billy CrystalBilly Crystal
William Edward "Billy" Crystal is an American actor, writer, producer, comedian and film director. He gained prominence in the 1970s for playing Jodie Dallas on the ABC sitcom Soap and became a Hollywood film star during the late 1980s and 1990s, appearing in the critical and box office successes...
directed movie 61*, Wilhelm was portrayed by fellow knuckleball pitcher Tom Candiotti
Tom Candiotti
Thomas Caesar Candiotti is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who was known for his knuckleball. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in games finished
- List of players with a home run in first major league at-bat