Earl Wilson (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Earl Wilson |
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: October 2, 1934 Ponchatoula, Louisiana |
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| Died: April 23, 2005 (aged 70) Southfield, Michigan |
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| debut | |||
| July 28, 1959, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 22, 1970, for the San Diego Padres | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 121–109 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.69 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,452 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Earl Wilson (October 2, 1934 – April 23, 2005) was a talented American baseball player. He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for eleven seasons. He played for the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and San Diego Padres. Earl Wilson was known for his powerful pitching and also for hitting many home runs.
During his MLB career, he won 121 games and had 1,452 strikeouts. He was a right-handed pitcher and batter. Wilson was born in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
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Playing Career Highlights
Earl Wilson started his professional baseball journey in 1953. He first played as a catcher, but the next year he became a pitcher. He was a tall and strong pitcher, standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 216 pounds. He used fast pitches and sliders to get batters out.
Breaking Barriers with the Red Sox
Wilson made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox on July 28, 1959. He was the first Black pitcher for the Red Sox. Earlier that same year, Infielder Pumpsie Green became the first Black player for the team. Boston was the last of the 16 original major league teams to have a Black player. This was an important moment in baseball history.
Pitching a No-Hitter
One of Wilson's most amazing achievements happened on June 26, 1962. He pitched a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. This means no Angels player got a hit during the entire game! The Red Sox won 2–0. What made it even more special was that Wilson also hit a home run in the same game. Only a few pitchers in baseball history have hit a home run while pitching a no-hitter. He was also the first Black pitcher to throw an American League no-hitter.
Success with the Detroit Tigers
After playing for the Red Sox, Wilson was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 1966. He continued to play very well. In 1967, he had his best season, winning 22 games. This tied him for the most wins in the American League that year.
In the 1968 World Series, the Detroit Tigers played against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Tigers won the championship in seven games. Earl Wilson was an important part of the Tigers' pitching team, which included famous pitchers like Denny McLain and Mickey Lolich.
A Pitcher Who Could Hit Home Runs
Earl Wilson was not just a great pitcher; he was also known for his powerful hitting. He hit 35 home runs during his career. Most of these home runs (33) were hit while he was pitching. He even hit two home runs in one game in 1965. Only a few other pitchers in baseball history have hit more home runs than Wilson.
Life After Baseball
Earl Wilson retired from baseball at the end of the 1970 season. After his playing career, he started his own business selling automotive parts. He also worked as a physical education teacher and basketball coach at Coral Springs High School in Florida during the 1980s.
Earl Wilson passed away on April 23, 2005, in Southfield, Michigan.
Images for kids
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Earl Wilson in 1966
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball all-time leaders in home runs by pitchers
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
