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

External links

• Hoyt Wilhelm at:
  • Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Baseball Library
  • Baseball Reference