Key Highlights
- It’s so small that you can count the members on both hands, if that. That fraternity is composed of former pitchers who excelled as both starter and relievers. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThink about it.
- How many pitchers can you name who did well in both roles?
- A few immediately come to mind: Dennis Eckersley, Jim “Mudcat” Grant, John Smoltz and Hoyt Wilhelm, but many fans don’t know that Wilbur Wood was both a league-leading relief pitcher AND a league-leading starter in his days with the Sox. Wood’s White Sox career spanned from 1967-78, and during it he was a key part of three of the most memorable White Sox teams in club history:1967 Wood was a part of the deep bullpen the Sox had, as the “Near-Miss” White Sox had the World Series squarely in their sights until a disastrous final week.1972 Wood was the lead starter on the 1972 “Outhouse or Penthouse” White Sox [Note: That phrase was authored by Sox outfielder Rick Reichardt when talking about the surprising season.] Those Sox battled the Oakland A’s down to the final week for the Western Division championship.
- If not for the back injury to third baseman Bill Melton, the A’s dynasty of the 70’s might never have gotten started. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement1977 Wood was also a spot starter on the 1977 “South Side Hit Men” Sox club that smashed all existing team hitting records and has carried on as the baseball version of the 1985 Chicago Bears. Wilbur was one of the most popular Chicago athletes in the 70’s in part because he wasn’t 6´5´´ with a body by Adonis.
- Wilbur looked like your Uncle Butch or Cousin George.
