Who was Wilbur Wood? The Chicago White Sox knuckleball pitcher who died at 84 | MLB News
Wilbur Wood, the legendary Major League Baseball pitcher known for his knuckleball, has died at the age of 84. The Chicago White Sox confirmed the news on January 17, 2026. Wood passed away at a hospital in Burlington, Massachusetts, where he had been living after retiring from baseball.Wood played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball, with 12 of those years spent with the Chicago White Sox. He also pitched for the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates. After news of his death broke, fans and former players shared memories of him. Many described him as a quiet, kind man who worked hard and threw a pitch very few could ever control.
How Wilbur Wood built a long career and earned baseball’s respect
Wilbur Wood was born on October 22, 1941, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He signed with the Boston Red Sox and made his major league debut at age 19 on June 30, 1961. From there, Wood had a long journey before finding his greatest success with the Chicago White Sox. Wood became famous for throwing the knuckleball, a pitch that moves in strange ways and is very hard for hitters to hit. He mastered it and made it his signature pitch, which helped him last a long time in the majors. From 1967 to 1978, Wood appeared in hundreds of games for the White Sox. He was selected as an American League All-Star three times (1971, 1972, and 1974). He had four seasons with 20 or more wins, an achievement very few pitchers reach. One of his most amazing seasons came in 1972, when Wood pitched an incredible 376⅔ innings, a remarkable total that still stands out in baseball history. That same year he also started 49 games, a number no pitcher had reached since the early 1900s. Over his 17-year career, Wood finished with a 164–156 win-loss record, 1,411 strikeouts, and a 3.24 earned run average (ERA). He retired after the 1978 season, leaving behind a legacy of endurance and quiet greatness. Teammates, coaches, and fans remember Wood not just for his numbers, but for the way he played the game. “He was one of the toughest pitchers I ever saw,” one former White Sox player said on social media after Wood’s death. After news of his passing spread, the White Sox sent their condolences to his family, friends, and fans. The team said Wood was more than a pitcher, he was part of White Sox history. Former White Sox executive Roland Hemond said in a tribute, “Wilbur was a real competitor and a good man. He gave his all every day on the mound.” Fans also shared memories on social media, praising Wood for his toughness and character. Even now, many baseball historians say Wood’s records and unique pitching style will be talked about for years. His work with the knuckleball changed how many teams look at that pitch and the pitchers who throw it.
