Smoky Joe Wood

Howard Ellsworth "Smoky Joe" Wood (October 25, 1889 – July 27, 1985) was a professional baseball player for 14 years. He played for the Boston Red Sox in 1908–15, where he was primarily a pitcher, and for the Cleveland Indians in 1917–22, where he was primarily an outfielder. Wood is one of only 13 pitchers to win 30 or more games in one season (going 34–5 in 1912) since 1900.

Early career

"Smoky Joe" played his first amateur baseball for the local miners teams in Ouray, Colorado. Though a native of Ness County, Kansas, Wood made his playing debut with the mostly-female "Bloomer Girls." There were many such teams across the country, which barnstormed in exhibition games against teams of men. Bloomer Girl rosters featured at least one male player.

The Red Sox' Ted Williams, as a guest on the Bill Stern's Sports Newsreel radio program in 1950, told the story that Wood was posing as a girl on a girl's team when The Red Sox signed him. The story ended: "The pitcher I'm talking about was the immortal Smoky Joe Wood. A pitcher who can never be forgotten even though he did get his start posing as a girl".

Joe Wood

Joe Wood may refer to:

See also

Joe Wood (infielder)

Joseph Perry Wood (October 3, 1919 – March 25, 1985) was a professional baseball player. He played one season in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers in 1943, playing second base and third base. A native of Houston, Texas, Wood batted and threw right-handed. He attended Rice University.

In one season career, Wood was a .323 hitter (53-for-164) with one home run and 17 RBI in 60 games, including four doubles, four triples and two stolen bases.

Wood died in an accidental fire his hometown of Houston, Texas, at the age of 65.

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Joe Wood (1944 pitcher)

Joe Frank Wood (May 20, 1916 – October 10, 2002) was a professional baseball pitcher. He appeared in three games in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox during the 1944 season. Listed at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m), 190 lb., Wood batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Shohola, Pennsylvania. His father, Smoky Joe Wood, also was a major league pitcher.

In three pitching appearances, including one start, Wood posted a 0–1 record with a 6.52 ERA, 13 hits allowed, five strikeouts, three walks, and 9 ⅔ innings of work.

Wood died in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, at the age of 86.

See also

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