Hank Wyse
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Henry Washington Wyse (March 1, 1918 - October 22, 2000) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. Between 1942 and 1951, 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 strikeouts, 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 most productive season came in 1945, 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.
[edit] Fact
- Nicknamed "Hooks" in acknowledgment of his devastating curveball.
