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57m ago

Wilbur Wood, Durable Knuckleballer and Three-Time All-Star, Dies at 84

A knuckleball tutored by Hoyt Wilhelm transformed him into the White Sox’s most durable starter of the early 1970s.

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 25: Wilbur Wood #28 of the Chicago White Sox and American League All-Stars pitches against the National League All-Stars during Major League Baseball All-Star game July 25, 1972 at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The National League won the game 4-3. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
White Sox pitcher Wilbur Wood throws his knuckler in April 1973 against the Rangers at Comiskey Park. (Ray Gora/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • Wood died on Saturday at age 84, according to obituary reports.
  • He logged a staggering 376.2 innings in 1972 and 359.1 in 1973, with frequent short-rest starts that modern pitchers rarely approach.
  • After a 1966 trade to Chicago, he embraced the knuckleball under Wilhelm’s guidance and excelled in relief from 1967–70 with a 2.49 ERA and 56 saves.
  • Moved to the rotation in 1971, he won 106 games from 1971–75, led the majors in starts multiple times, made All-Star teams in 1971, 1972 and 1974, and placed as high as runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award in 1972.
  • The left-hander debuted with Boston in 1961, also pitched for Pittsburgh, became a Chicago mainstay, and retired with 164 career wins over 17 MLB seasons.