Early Wynn (1972)


Date of Birth: 1/6/1920
Date of Death: 4/4/1999
Birthplace: Hartford, Alabama

Early Wynn, the Hall of Famer with a great name for a winning pitcher, had a very long major league career, pitching for three teams through twenty-three seasons and four decades (1939-1963). He was a top athlete in high school, playing both baseball and football. He signed with the Washington Senators in 1937.

Washington Senators (Minnesota Twins)

Wynn first joined the Senators for three games in 1939 and five games in 1941. The rest of the time from 1937 through 1941, he played in the minors.

In 1942, Wynn finally had a full season with the Senators, pitching in 30 games. That season he had a 10-16 record and a 5.12 ERA. Wynn had a much better season in 1943, ending with an 18-12 record and a 2.91 ERA in 37 games.

Wynn had only 8 wins to 17 losses in 1944. He pitched 207.2 innings in 33 games and he had a 3.38 ERA. He walked 67 batters while striking out only 65.

Wynn served in the armed forces in 1945. He returned to the Senators in 1946, pitching in 17 games with them. He had a 3.11 ERA in 107.0 innings.

In 1947, Wynn had 17 wins and 15 losses and a 3.64 ERA in 247.0 innings in 33 games. He walked 90 batters and struck out 73. His walk to strikeout ratio increased in 1948, when he walked 94 batters and struck out just 49. That year, he had 8 wins and 19 losses and a 5.82 ERA in 33 games.

Cleveland Indians

In December, 1948, Wynn was traded to the Cleveland Indians. He didn't play well in 1949, ending with a 4.15 ERA, an 11-7 record, and 62 strikeouts to 57 walks in 164.2 innings in 26 games.

Wynn played better in 1950, and he led the AL in ERA with 3.20. He had 18 wins and 8 losses in 213.2 innings in 32 games. His control was much better and he struck out 143 batters and walked 101. The next year, he led the league in innings pitched with 274.1. He finished the 1951 season with 20 wins and 13 losses, 133 strikeouts to 107 walks, and a 3.02 ERA in 37 games.

In 1952, Wynn had career highs in games played (42), innings pitched (285.2), and wins (23 to 12 losses). He had a 2.90 ERA, and he struck out 153 batters and walked 132. His ERA went up to 3.93 in 1953. He had 17 wins and 12 losses in 251.2 innings in 36 games that season.

Wynn led the AL in wins in 1954 with a career high of 23 (to 11 losses). He also led the league in innings pitched. He had a 2.73 ERA in 270.2 innings in 40 games. He struck out 155 batters and walked 83.

Wynn pitched in 32 games in 1955, and he finished the season with a 2.82 ERA. He had 17 wins and 11 losses and 122 strikeouts to 80 walks in 230.0 innings. The next year, he had a 2.72 ERA, 20-9 record, and 158 strikeouts to 91 walks in 277.2 innings in 38 games.

In 1957, Wynn led the AL in strikeouts with a career high of 184 (to 104 walks). He had a 4.31 ERA and a 14-17 record in 263.0 innings in 40 games.

Chicago White Sox

Wynn went to the Chicago White Sox in 1958. He again led the AL in strikeouts that year. He finished that season with 14 wins and 16 losses, 179 strikeouts to 104 walks, and a 4.13 ERA in 239.2 innings in 40 games.

Wynn had a strong season in 1959. He won the AL Cy Young award and the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year award, and he led the league in wins and innings pitched. He had 22 wins to 10 losses and a 3.17 ERA in 255.2 innings in 37 games.

In 1960, Wynn had a 3.49 ERA in 36 games. He won 13 games and lost 12 and he struck out 158 batters and walked 112 in 237.1 innings. He pitched in just 17 games in 1961, and he had a 3.51 ERA and 8-2 record.

Wynn's ERA went up to 4.46 in 1962. He finished the season with 7 wins and 15 losses and 91 strikeouts to 56 walks in 167.2 innings in 27 games.

Return to the Indians

Wynn returned to the Indians for his final season in 1963. He ended his major league pitching career with a 2.28 ERA in 20 games that year.

Awards and MLB Records

  • AL Cy Young award
  • Sporting News Pitcher of the Year
  • Led AL in wins (2 times)
  • Led AL in strikeouts (2 times)
  • Led AL in innings pitched (3 times)

Career Statistics

Statistics for Wynn in 21 full seasons (1942-1944,1946-1963) in the major leagues include:

  • 5 seasons with 20 or more wins, with a high of 23 in 1952 and 1954
  • 7 seasons with over 150 strikeouts, with a high of 184 in 1957
  • 6 seasons with an ERA under 3.00, with a low of 2.28 in 1963

Career pitching statistics for Wynn include:

  • 691 games played
  • 4,564.0 innings pitched
  • 300-244 win-loss record
  • 2,334 strikeouts to 1,775 walks
  • 3.54 ERA

Post Playing Career

In 1964, Wynn became the pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians. He spent a year as a manager in the minor leagues in 1972.

From 1977 through 1980, Wynn worked as a radio commentator for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Wynn was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972 on the fourth ballot with 76.0% of the vote.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Early Wynn
ESPN - Early Wynn
Baseball Reference - Early Wynn

Back to Top