Wood was advised by Hoyt Wilhelm to use the knuckleball as his primary weapon. This advice helped land Wood a permanent role on the White Sox in 1967, where he would be used out of the bullpen. It was a great fit, as Wood would be used often, leading the American League in Games Pitched three seasons in a row (1968-70), and set the (now broken) record of 88 Games for a Pitcher in ’68.
The White Sox and Wood thought that he was ready for a starting role, and it was an even better role. From 1971 to 1974, he would win at least 20 Games, with AL leading 24 Wins in both 1972 and 1973. An All-Star in three of those years, Wood finished in the top five in Cy Young voting three times, peaking at second in 1972.
Wood’s career was derailed when a line drive from Ron LeFlore in a 1976 Game broke his kneecap. He came back, but was never the same and he retired after 1978.
Overall, Wood would have a record of 163-148 over 2,524.1 Innings Pitched.
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