Jake Wood (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jake Wood |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Wood in 1966
|
|||
| Second baseman | |||
| Born: June 22, 1937 Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| April 11, 1961, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 11, 1967, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .250 | ||
| Home runs | 35 | ||
| Runs batted in | 168 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
Jacob "Jake" Wood Jr. (born June 22, 1937) is a former American professional baseball player. He played for seven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Wood was mainly a second baseman for the Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds. He was a right-handed batter and thrower.
Contents
Early Life and Start in Baseball
Jake Wood was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He was the oldest son of nine children. Growing up, he loved playing sports like stickball and baseball. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1955, he went to Delaware State University on a scholarship and played college baseball for one season.
In 1957, the Detroit Tigers signed Wood as an amateur free agent. He played for several of the Tigers' minor league teams, where he was a great hitter. His hard work paid off, and he was soon ready for the major leagues.
Major League Baseball Career
A Strong Rookie Season
Wood made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers on April 11, 1961. He was 23 years old. In his very first game, he hit a two-run home run for his first major league hit. This was an exciting start to his career!
During his first year, Wood was one of the best players in the American League. He led the league with 14 triples, which is a hit where the batter reaches third base. He also had 96 runs, 171 hits, and 30 stolen bases. That same year, he set a record for the most strikeouts in a season with 141.
_(cropped).jpg)
Years with the Tigers
Wood was a quick and talented player. He was the Tigers' starting second baseman from 1961 to 1963. He was known for his speed, finishing in the top three for stolen bases in the American League for three straight years.
In 1963, Wood injured his finger and had to miss the rest of the season. After that, he became a utility infielder, a player who can play several different positions. He continued to play as a backup for the Tigers until 1967.
Final Season and Career Stats
On June 23, 1967, Wood joined the Cincinnati Reds. He played 16 games for the Reds before his final MLB game on August 11, 1967.
Over his seven-year career, Wood had a .250 batting average. He hit 35 home runs, had 168 runs batted in (RBIs), and stole 70 bases.
Life After Baseball
After retiring from baseball, Jake Wood has stayed very active. He lives in Pensacola, Florida, where he plays in softball leagues and tournaments. He also enjoys playing racquetball.
Wood gives back to his community by helping people at the Escambia County jail. He also stays connected to baseball by attending Tigers' reunions and other events. His brother, Richard Wood, was also a professional athlete who played in the NFL.
For his contributions to baseball, Wood is a member of the Union County, New Jersey Baseball Hall of Fame.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders
- SABR Biography by Jim Sargent
