Wilbur Wood, the knuckleballing left-hander who frustrated hitters and logged an extraordinary number of innings for the Chicago White Sox in the 1970s, has died at the age of 84. Wood, who pitched 17 seasons in the major leagues, passed away on January 17, 2026.
Born Wilbur Forrester Wood Jr. on October 22, 1941, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Wood grew up in Belmont, a suburb of Boston. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school, excelling in football, hockey, and baseball. Wood was signed by his hometown Red Sox in 1960. After struggling to find his footing with the Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, Wood was traded to the White Sox in 1967. It was in Chicago that he found his niche, developing into a dominant knuckleball pitcher under the tutelage of veteran Hoyt Wilhelm.
Wood initially served as a reliever for the White Sox, setting a since-broken record with 88 games pitched in 1968. That year, he also earned the Sporting News American League Fireman of the Year award. In 1971, the White Sox moved Wood into the starting rotation, where he truly blossomed. With pitching coach Johnny Sain suggesting he pitch with only two days of rest due to the reduced stress of the knuckleball, Wood became an "iron man" starter, leading the AL in games started from 1972 through 1975.
The years 1971-1975 marked Wood's most dominant stretch. He won 106 games and averaged over 336 innings per year. In both 1972 and 1973, Wood surpassed 350 innings pitched, a feat unmatched in the American League since 1977. His 376 2/3 innings in 1972 remain the highest single-season mark since World War II. He was an All-Star selection in 1971, 1972, and 1974.
Wood's career took a tragic turn on May 9, 1976. A line drive off the bat of Detroit's Ron LeFlore struck Wood's left kneecap, shattering it. While he attempted a comeback, he was never the same pitcher. He retired in 1978.
Over his 17-year MLB career, Wood amassed a 164-156 record with a 3.24 ERA and 1,411 strikeouts. He pitched for the Boston Red Sox (1961-64), the Pittsburgh Pirates (1964-65), and the Chicago White Sox (1967-78). Wood's durability and unique pitching style made him a fan favorite and a memorable figure in baseball history. He demonstrated that the knuckleball could be a viable path to sustained success, inspiring future generations of pitchers.
