Former White Sox Knuckleball Ace Wilbur Wood Passes Away at 84
Wilbur Wood, the iconic knuckleball pitcher who dominated on the mound for nearly two decades, has left an indelible mark on baseball history. At 84, the legendary right-hander took his final pitch in a Massachusetts hospital, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
Wood's unrelenting work ethic and remarkable durability set him apart from his peers. In 1972, he threw a staggering 376 2/3 innings, earning him the top spot in the league. This feat was all the more impressive considering the era in which he pitched – an era where modern training methods and medical advancements have made it increasingly difficult for pitchers to accumulate such mileage.
The former White Sox ace was known for starting games consecutively in four separate seasons, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the sport. Wood's journey began with the Boston Red Sox at just 19 years old before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates and later making his way to the South Side of Chicago.
As a starter, Wood revolutionized the game with his unorthodox knuckleball pitch, which he had learned from his father. This innovative approach earned him instant stardom, as he became an All-Star three times in succession from 1971 to 1974. Although his career record may not boast the same level of success as some of his contemporaries, Wood's enduring legacy is undeniable.
When Wilbur Wood hung up his cleats for good, he left behind a remarkable résumé: 164 wins against 156 losses, with an impressive 3.24 ERA that speaks to his mastery of the mound. As news of his passing spread, fans and fellow baseball enthusiasts around the world took to social media to pay tribute to this beloved giant of the game. Wood may have been a workhorse who didn't always set an example, but his contributions to the sport will be felt for years to come.
Wilbur Wood, the iconic knuckleball pitcher who dominated on the mound for nearly two decades, has left an indelible mark on baseball history. At 84, the legendary right-hander took his final pitch in a Massachusetts hospital, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
Wood's unrelenting work ethic and remarkable durability set him apart from his peers. In 1972, he threw a staggering 376 2/3 innings, earning him the top spot in the league. This feat was all the more impressive considering the era in which he pitched – an era where modern training methods and medical advancements have made it increasingly difficult for pitchers to accumulate such mileage.
The former White Sox ace was known for starting games consecutively in four separate seasons, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the sport. Wood's journey began with the Boston Red Sox at just 19 years old before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates and later making his way to the South Side of Chicago.
As a starter, Wood revolutionized the game with his unorthodox knuckleball pitch, which he had learned from his father. This innovative approach earned him instant stardom, as he became an All-Star three times in succession from 1971 to 1974. Although his career record may not boast the same level of success as some of his contemporaries, Wood's enduring legacy is undeniable.
When Wilbur Wood hung up his cleats for good, he left behind a remarkable résumé: 164 wins against 156 losses, with an impressive 3.24 ERA that speaks to his mastery of the mound. As news of his passing spread, fans and fellow baseball enthusiasts around the world took to social media to pay tribute to this beloved giant of the game. Wood may have been a workhorse who didn't always set an example, but his contributions to the sport will be felt for years to come.
wilbur wood was def one of a kind tho, no way he's gonna let that knuckleball just sit there, still throwing in hospice at 84 is wild 
. i mean, he played so long and threw so many innings it's insane how durable he was for his time period. but yeah, his career record might not be as great as some others, but the guy revolutionized the game with that knuckleball pitch 
. still sad to see him go tho, feels like just yesterday we're talking about his dominating performances on the mound 
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I'm really gonna miss seeing Wilbur Wood's name pop up in baseball news anymore... he was like a legend on and off the field 
. I remember watching White Sox games with my kiddo when they were playing, and we'd always talk about how tough it must've been for pitchers back then to throw so many innings without modern training. 376 2/3 innings?! That's insane! 
Wood may not have had a super long career, but the impact he had on baseball is still felt today 
. My kid's getting into baseball now and I'm loving watching them learn about all these legends... it's amazing how their stories can inspire kids (and adults!) to work hard and chase their dreams 
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He was one big league legend! 
. I mean, who needs modern training methods when you've got heart and a killer knuckleball? Rest in peace, Wilbur, your pitch is now forever immortal 
. Like, who would've thought that an unorthodox move like that could be so effective? 
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. Maybe there's a chart or graph somewhere that shows just how impressive his career was 
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... just found out about Wilbur Wood passing away at 84 
. He may not have had all the modern stats, but his work ethic and longevity are a testament to how much baseball has evolved (or devolved 
). Still sad to see an era's great go, but his legacy will live on in our hearts 
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just thinkin... Wilbur Wood was only 84, so like what's next? Are they gonna start datin' people down to like 80 or somethin'? 
all these celebs dyin at an old age got me wonderin' if it's like a big ol' secret society thing goin' on... maybe they're all gettin' some kinda special treatment or somethin'. 
his knuckleball pitch was so unique, it's no wonder he became an all-star three times straight 
️ what's wild is that he may not have won a lot of games but 164 wins is still an impressive résumé 
. And his knuckleball pitch? Total game-changer 
You can't help but think about all the times he dominated on the mound, 376 innings in '72? That's crazy talk! 
He started with the Boston Red Sox at 19, worked his way up, and eventually landed in Chicago. That's what immigration is all about! 
WHAT A LEGEND HE WAS!!! 164 WINS AND 156 LOSSES IS INSANE FOR A KNUCKLEBALL PITCHER, AND HE DID IT ALL WITHOUT GETTING TOUCHED UP 
anyway i feel bad that we dont get to see him play anymore but his legacy lives on and its awesome that fans are still hyped about him even after all these years 
just heard about Wilbur Wood passing away at 84 
84 is old but Wilbur Wood's legacy will live on 
. So sad to hear he's gone but we'll always remember the guy who started games straight from the get-go 
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celebrating his birthday with a parade and everything