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167. Smokey Joe Wood

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The story of Howard Ellsworth "Smoky Joe" Wood is typical in that and we have a power pitcher who was dominant for a short time, only for arm fatigue to cause an early end of his pitching career (though he would continue to play, but we'll get to that later.)

Wood debuted for the Red Sox as a teenager in 1908, and in 1910, he went 12-13, but with an ERA of 1.69.  The year after, he won 23 games and led the American League in FIP (2.13) and SO/9 (7.5), and he was viewed as one of the hardest throwers in baseball.  1912 would be his best in the game as he had a league-leading 34 Wins, against only 5 Losses.  He also had an ERA of 1.91, with a career-best WHIP of 1.015.  That year, the Red Sox won the pennant and went on to win the World Series, where Wood went 3-1.

Wood remained an excellent pitcher over the next three seasons, but he did not bounce back as quickly, and he had only 64 appearances over that time.  He would win the ERA Title in 1915 (1.49) but was unable to play in the 1915 World Series, which Boston would win.

That was it for Wood in Boston, as he sat out 1916 and would never pitch for the Red Sox again.  The Cleveland Indians would purchase his contract before the 1917 season.

It should be noted that Wood was an above-average hitting pitcher, who batted .244 for Boston.  Because he was such a good hitter, he was able to continue playing (albeit in Cleveland) until 1922, where he had 432 Hits for the Tribe.

 

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Wednesday, 01 January 1936
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (3) (Boston Red Sox 1912 & 1915 & Cleveland Indians 1920)  
    Lowest ERA (2) (AL) (1915) 
    Most Wins (1) (AL) (1912)
    Highest SO/9 (1) (AL) (1911)
    Most Complete Games (1) (AL) (1912)
    Most Shutouts (1) (AL) (1912)
    Lowest FIP (1) (AL) (1911)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten MVP Finishes:
    (AL: 1912, 5th)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (H/9)
    1 Top Ten Finish (BB/9)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (SO/9)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Games Pitched)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Games Started)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)                 
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts) 
    3 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Win Probability Added)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Batting Average)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Slugging Percentage)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Doubles)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Home Runs)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Power-Speed #)

  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    5.   FIP: 2.26
    5.   ERA: 2.03
    13. ERA+: 148
    15. H/9: 7.141
    18. WHIP: 1.087

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    1937: 6.5%
    1938: 2.3%
    1939: 0.7%
    1942: 0.4%
    1946: Nominating Vote: 2.5%
    1947: 18.0%
    1948: 4.1%
    1950: 0.6%
    1951: 2.2%

  • Should be Inducted As A: Boston Red Sox

Should Smokey Joe Wood be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 75%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 25%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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