Hank Wyse
Encyclopedia
Henry Washington Wyse was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. Between and , Wyse played for the Chicago Cubs
(1942-47), Philadelphia Athletics
(1950-51) and Washington Senators
(1951). A native of Lunsford, Arkansas
, he batted and threw right-handed. He debuted on March 1, 1942, and played his final game on June 14, 1951.
In an eight-season career, Wyse posted a 79-70 record with a 3.52 ERA
, 362 strikeout
s, eight saves
, and 1257-2/3 innings
in 251 games pitched
, 159 as a starter
.
Wyse suffered a spinal injury that kept him from serving in World War II
. As a result, he wore a corset at times to pitch.
A control pitcher
, Wise was a sinkerballer
and a curve specialist. His most productive season came in , when he helped the Chicago Cubs to win the National League
pennant after going 22-10 with a 2.68 ERA. He lost Game Two of the World Series
and relieved
in Games Six and Seven, becoming the last Cubs pitcher to appear in a World Series game. The same season, he was selected an All-Star and pitched a one-hitter game on April 28 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
. His no-hitter was broken up by Bill Salkeld
, who singled
in the 8th inning with one out.
Wyse also pitched in the American League
with the Philadelphia Athletics and Washington Senators in part of two seasons. He died in Pryor, Oklahoma, at age 82.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Between and , Wyse played for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(1942-47), Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(1950-51) and Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(1951). A native of Lunsford, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, he batted and threw right-handed. He debuted on March 1, 1942, and played his final game on June 14, 1951.
In an eight-season career, Wyse posted a 79-70 record with a 3.52 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, 362 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, eight saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
, and 1257-2/3 innings
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
in 251 games pitched
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
, 159 as a starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
.
Wyse suffered a spinal injury that kept him from serving in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. As a result, he wore a corset at times to pitch.
A control pitcher
Control pitcher
A control pitcher is a pitcher who succeeds mostly by using accurate pitches, as opposed to a power pitcher who relies on velocity. By issuing a below average number of bases on balls he exhibits good control of his pitches...
, Wise was a sinkerballer
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
and a curve specialist. His most productive season came in , when he helped the Chicago Cubs to win the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant after going 22-10 with a 2.68 ERA. He lost Game Two of the World Series
1945 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 3, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan-Game 2:Thursday, October 4, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan-Game 3:Friday, October 5, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan...
and relieved
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
in Games Six and Seven, becoming the last Cubs pitcher to appear in a World Series game. The same season, he was selected an All-Star and pitched a one-hitter game on April 28 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. His no-hitter was broken up by Bill Salkeld
Bill Salkeld
William Franklin Salkeld was a former professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves, and Chicago White Sox.-External links:...
, who singled
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
in the 8th inning with one out.
Wyse also pitched in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with the Philadelphia Athletics and Washington Senators in part of two seasons. He died in Pryor, Oklahoma, at age 82.