Wilbur Wood Dies at 80 – MLB Star Remembered

Wilbur Wood, a celebrated MLB pitcher known for his knuckleball, passed away recently at the age of 80. Wood is remembered for his impressive 17-year career in Major League Baseball, playing primarily for the Chicago White Sox, as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox.

Early Career and Development

Wood began his professional baseball journey when he debuted with the Boston Red Sox in 1961. However, his early years in the league were challenging, with only 159 2/3 innings pitched over a five-year span from 1961 to 1965.

His career took a pivotal turn in 1966 when he was traded to the Pirates. There, he found more consistent playing time in the bullpen, which helped him refine his skills.

The key moment in Wood’s development occurred when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. He learned the nuances of the knuckleball from future Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm, who became a mentor during his time with the team.

Career Highlights

From 1967 to 1970, Wood excelled as a reliever, achieving a remarkable 2.49 ERA in 292 games and pitching a total of 495 2/3 innings. His transition to the starting rotation in 1971 marked the beginning of an extraordinary five-year period.

During this time, Wood recorded an impressive 3.08 ERA over 224 starts, completing 1681 2/3 innings. His consistency was highlighted by:

• Four seasons leading MLB in starts.
• Two seasons leading in innings pitched.
• Three All-Star selections in 1971, 1972, and 1974.

Wood’s most notable achievement came in 1972 when he pitched an astounding 376 2/3 innings, a record for any pitcher from 1918 to the present. For context, the combined innings of the top two pitchers in 2022 was only 412 1/3.

Challenges and Injury

Despite his success, Wood faced significant challenges. He became one of the few pitchers in modern MLB history to both win and lose 20 games in the same season, finishing with a 24-20 record in 1973. Wood consistently won over 20 games each year from 1971 to 1974, only to suffer a severe injury in May 1976 that changed his trajectory.

A line drive from Ron LeFlore shattered his kneecap, ending his season and ultimately affecting his performance thereafter. He retired with a final record of 164-156, a 3.24 ERA, and a combined total of 651 games pitched over 2684 innings.

Legacy

Wilbur Wood’s legacy as a durable and talented knuckleball pitcher will not be forgotten. His contributions to the teams he played for and his influence on future generations of pitchers, particularly with the knuckleball, remain significant.

Filmogaz.com extends heartfelt condolences to Wood’s family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.