Workhorse knuckleballer Wilbur Wood, who played 12 seasons for the White Sox from 1967 to 1978, passed away Saturday at age 84.
The southpaw ranks among the top five in franchise history in several pitching categories, including wins (163), WAR (51.7) and innings pitched (2,524.1).
Wood earned all-star nods with the Sox in 1971, 1972 and 1974. He finished a close second in Cy Young voting in 1972.
In five seasons between 1971 and 1975, Wood started a now-nearly-unbelievable 224 games and threw 1,681.2 innings.
Before transitioning to a workhorse starter, Wood was one of the league’s best relievers with the Sox. He earned 57 saves with the team and led the league in games pitched in 1968, 1969 and 1970. Wood earned MVP votes in 1968 after compiling a 1.87 ERA in 88 games.
In 1973, Wood completed perhaps his most famous feat, starting both ends of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees.
Wood joined the Sox from the Pirates in an October 1966 trade. The Sox acquired Wood for a player to be named later, who turned out to be former all-star Juan Pizarro.
The pitcher made his debut in 1961 with the Red Sox at 19 years old. He pitched in parts of four seasons for Boston before being purchased by the Pirates in September 1964.
His career flourished in Chicago after mastering the knuckleball thanks to veteran Hoyt Wilhelm.
In his first season as a full-time starter (1971), Wood posted a 1.91 ERA across 334.0 innings in 42 starts. He led the league in WAR (11.7) and finished third in Cy Young voting.
The next season, he started 49 games for a Sox team that nearly made a surprise playoff appearance. He led the league in starts, innings pitched (376.2) and wins (24).
In 1973, Wood repeated as league-leader in starts (48), wins (24) and innings pitched (359.1). He earned his final all-star nod the next year.
Wood’s career took a turn for the worse in 1976, when he missed most of the season after being struck in the knee by a Ron LeFlore comebacker. He pitched in 1977 and 1978, but was unable to replicate his earlier success.
In total, Wood tallied a 3.18 ERA, 1,332 strikeouts and 163 wins across 578 games and 2,524.1 innings with the Sox.
SoxOn35th sends its condolences to Wood’s family, friends and fans.
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Featured Photo: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images