Hoyt Wilhelm

James Hoyt Wilhelm (July 26, 1923 - August 23, 2002) was a pitcher in major league baseball. Born in Huntersville, North Carolina, he was best known for his knuckleball, which enabled him to have great longevity, occasionally as a starting pitcher but mainly as a specialist relief man (in which role he won 124 games). Much travelled, his clubs included the New York Giants (1952-56), the Baltimore Orioles ('58-'62) for whom he threw he threw a no-hitter against the New York Yankees in 1958, the Chicago White Sox ('63-'68) and spells with the Cardinals, Indians, Angels, Braves, Cubs and Dodgers, with whom he was playing when he eventually retired after the 1972 season.

His success as a reliever helped the gradual change in usage patterns of pitchers, and the popularity of the concept of a "relief ace". Along with Phil Niekro[?], Wilhelm is considered by many the greatest knuckleballer to have played the game, and he was elected to the United States Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.

Career statistics

W	L	PCT	ERA	G	GS	CG	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
143	122	.540	2.52	1,070	52	20	227	2254.1	1,757	632	150	778	1,610