Description
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Hooks Wiltse
Born: September 7, 1879 Hamilton, New York
Died: January 21, 1959 (aged 79) Long Beach, New York
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185 lbs.
Positions: Pitcher
Played For:
New York Giants (1904–1914)
Brooklyn Tip-Tops (1915)
Biography:
“Hooks” earned his nickname because of his exceptional curveballand was one of the earliest pitchers to have a curveball that was regarded as more effective than his fastball. From 1904 to 1914, he pitched for the National League’s New York Giants. During that time, he combined with teammate Christy Mathewson for 435 wins, making them one of the best lefty-righty duos in history. Wiltse won five pennants with the Giants and pitched 3.1 innings in the 1911 World Series.
Wiltse made the strongest first impression in major-league history, going 12-0 in his first dozen decisions with the 1904 Giants, a record that has never been broken and wasn’t even equaled until San Diego Padres reliever Butch Metzger won his first dozen decisions in 1974-76. Wiltse debuted on Opening Day, April 21, but didn’t receive his first starting assignment until May 29, when he contributed two hits to a 5-3 victory over Brooklyn. He shutout the Superbas on three hits in his second start on June 19, and from then on he took his regular turn as a starter, keeping his winning streak alive until a 7-3 loss to Cincinnati on September 22. Wiltse finished his rookie year with a 13-3 record and 2.84 ERA, continuing his good fortune by marrying Della Schaffer in November.
Hooks Wiltse’s best season was 1908 when he replaced Joe McGinnity as the Giants’ No. 2 starter behind Mathewson. Setting career highs in games (44), starts (38), complete games (30), and shutouts (7), Wiltse compiled a 23-14 record with a 2.24 ERA. On July 4, 1908, in the first game of a doubleheader at Philadelphia, he pitched one of the greatest games in baseball history. Hooks retired the first 26 Phillies in a row before facing the opposing pitcher, George McQuillan, who also had pitched scoreless baseball. On a 1-2 pitch, Wiltse threw what appeared to be strike three but was called a ball by umpire Cy Rigler, who later admitted that he blew the call and spent years giving Wiltse cigars to atone for it. The next pitch hit McQuillan, however, and Hooks settled for a 10-inning no-hitter when the Giants scored a run for him in the top of the 10th inning.
More info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooks_Wiltse
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wiltsho01.shtml
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/ce9bc9aa
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