MLB News: Wilbur Wood dies at 84

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Wilbur Wood, the three-time All-Star who made opposing hitters swing and miss with a bad knuckleball, has died, the Chicago White Sox announced. He was 84 years old.

Wood spent 17 seasons in the major leagues from 1961 to 1978, spending 12 seasons with the White Sox. He plays for the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates.

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Wilbur Wood in action during the 1968 season. (Malcolm Emmons/USA Today Sports)

“The White Sox send our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Wilbur Wood, a 3-time All-Star, who has passed away at the age of 84,” the team said on social media.

Wilbur made his debut with the Red Sox in 1961 when he was 19 years old, then found himself with the Pirates in his early 20s. But he had his biggest impact with the White Sox.

He started out as a reliever for the White Sox. He led the major leagues in 1968 when he appeared in 88 games and then led the American League the next two years when he appeared in 76 games in 1969 and 77 games in 1970.

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Chicago White Sox pitcher Wilbur Wood (8) delivers the pitch at Comiskey Park during the 1973 season. (Malcolm Emmons/USA Today Sports)

Wood was thrust into the starting role in 1971 and did his best to perfect the knuckleball to reduce the stress on the throwing arm. He turned into an incredible player, leading the majors in games running from 1972 to 1975. He won no fewer than 20 games from 1971 through 1974.

He fractured his kneecap while driving down the line early in the 1976 season. When he returned to the mound, Wood began to struggle. His ERA ballooned to 5.20 in 28 games in 1978, which would be the final season of his career.

He finished his career with a 3.24 ERA and 1,411 strikeouts. The 376.2 innings pitched during the 1972 season were the most by a starting pitcher in a single season in the live ball era (since 1920), according to To MLB.com.