Incredibly, Wilhelm was already a 47-year old “uber-veteran” by the time this card would have come out, splitting the 1969 season between the Angels and Atlanta Braves after an excellent six year run with the Chicago White Sox that saw him post sub-2.00 ERA’s five straight seasons, ALL after the age of 40!
The man was amazing. To think he didn’t even break into Big League ball until the age of 29, yet still put together a 21-year career!
Imagine if he was able to get into the Majors in his early-20’s?
Regardless, he went on to set the Major League record (since broken) for appearances by a pitcher, with 1070, post 228 saves, win 143 games, and post a wonderful 2.52 earned run average.
I’ve always also loved the fact that in the only two seasons of his career that he pitched enough innings to qualify, he led the league in ERA: 1952 and 1959.
AND, he is STILL the last pitcher to throw a complete game no-hitter against the Yankees, which he did in 1958 while with the Baltimore Orioles.
A true baseball legend.
