Ted Wilks

Pitcher

Born: November 13, 1915
Fulton, New York

Died: August 21, 1989 (aged 73)
Houston, Texas

Batted: Right

Threw: Right

MLB debut

April 25, 1944, for the St. Louis Cardinals

Last MLB appearance

August 5, 1953, for the Cleveland Indians

MLB statistics

59–30

3.26

403

Teams

Career highlights and awards

World Series champion (1944, 1946)
Led NL in WHIP (1.069) in 1944
Led NL in Saves in 1949 (9) and 1951 (13)

Theodore "Cork" Wilks (November 13, 1915 – August 21, 1989) was a professional baseball player. He was born in Fulton, New York.

Wilks was a right-handed pitcher over parts of ten seasons (1944–53) with the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians. For his career, he compiled a 59–30 record in 385 appearances, most as a relief pitcher, with an 3.26 earned run average and 403 strikeouts. Wilks was a member of two Cardinals World Series championship teams, defeating the St. Louis Browns in 1944 and the Boston Red Sox in 1946. In World Series play, he compiled an 0–1 record in three appearances, with a 4.91 earned run average and seven strikeouts.

Wilks was a 28-year-old rookie pitcher in 1944. He beat the Cincinnati Reds 3–0 on August 29, for his eleventh victory in a row. Wilks took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, prior to Frank McCormick hitting for a single. It was one of three Cincinnati hits. Wilks concluded the 1944 season with a 17–4 record and a 2.65 earned run average. Following his impressive rookie season, Wilks encountered arm problems which limited his effectiveness. However, he became an important pitcher in the Cardinal bullpen in the post-World War II era.

At the conclusion of 1947 Wilks had compiled a fine career record of 33–11.

Wilks retired with an overall mark of 59–30. Wilks died in Houston, Texas at the age of 73.

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