Hoyt Wilhelm Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
HOYT WILHELM
Born: July 26, 1922 in Huntersville, North Carolina
Died: August 23, 2002 in Sarasota, Florida
Died: August 23, 2002 in Sarasota, Florida
Full name James Hoyt Wilhelm
Born July 26, 1922, Huntersville, North Carolina
Died August 23, 2002, Sarasota, Florida
Buried at Palms Memorial Park, Sarasota, Florida (Field of Honor East 132-D1; 27.20.143N 82.27.858W)
First Game: April 18, 1952; Final Game: July 10, 1972
Bat: Right Throw: Right Height: 6' 0" Weight: 190
Selected to the Hall of Fame in 1985
HOYT WILHELM
This article was written by Mark Armour and is presented in part, courtesy of the Society for American Baseball Research
During the first half of Hoyt Wilhelm's major league career, the attention he received usually focused on his freak pitch-a knuckleball-which he likely threw better than any man in history. In the latter half of his career, he was equally renowned for his advanced age-he had become an "old" knuckleballer.
Wilhelm was called "Old Folks" when his career had more than a decade to run. Nearly every story written about Wilhelm in the 1960s speculated on how much longer he could get batters out. Could he throw the knuckleball until he was 42? How about 45? Wilhelm patiently gave variations of the same answer: "I am pitching as well as I ever have. I have never felt better. I see no reason why I can't pitch a few more years." Every July 26, his birthday, a cake would appear, and Hoyt would be asked again about how it felt to be 43, or 47. In his Carolina drawl, Wilhelm would bring the subject back to how he was pitching, how he was feeling.
When Wilhelm died in 2002, his death certificate revealed something unexpected. His birth date was discovered to have been July 26, 1922, one year earlier than had been presumed for his entire career. It is not uncommon for a baseball player to have lied about his birth date-in fact, it is somewhat of an honored tradition. It was nonetheless startling to discover that Hoyt Wilhelm, probably the most famous "old" player in history, was actually older than we had thought.
Born July 26, 1922, Huntersville, North Carolina
Died August 23, 2002, Sarasota, Florida
Buried at Palms Memorial Park, Sarasota, Florida (Field of Honor East 132-D1; 27.20.143N 82.27.858W)
First Game: April 18, 1952; Final Game: July 10, 1972
Bat: Right Throw: Right Height: 6' 0" Weight: 190
Selected to the Hall of Fame in 1985
HOYT WILHELM
This article was written by Mark Armour and is presented in part, courtesy of the Society for American Baseball Research
During the first half of Hoyt Wilhelm's major league career, the attention he received usually focused on his freak pitch-a knuckleball-which he likely threw better than any man in history. In the latter half of his career, he was equally renowned for his advanced age-he had become an "old" knuckleballer.
Wilhelm was called "Old Folks" when his career had more than a decade to run. Nearly every story written about Wilhelm in the 1960s speculated on how much longer he could get batters out. Could he throw the knuckleball until he was 42? How about 45? Wilhelm patiently gave variations of the same answer: "I am pitching as well as I ever have. I have never felt better. I see no reason why I can't pitch a few more years." Every July 26, his birthday, a cake would appear, and Hoyt would be asked again about how it felt to be 43, or 47. In his Carolina drawl, Wilhelm would bring the subject back to how he was pitching, how he was feeling.
When Wilhelm died in 2002, his death certificate revealed something unexpected. His birth date was discovered to have been July 26, 1922, one year earlier than had been presumed for his entire career. It is not uncommon for a baseball player to have lied about his birth date-in fact, it is somewhat of an honored tradition. It was nonetheless startling to discover that Hoyt Wilhelm, probably the most famous "old" player in history, was actually older than we had thought.
Film Credits
2012 Knuckleball! (Other), 2009 Prime 9 (Other), 1954 1954 World Series (in person), 1985 Greats of the Game (in person)
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HOYT WILHELM Bold signature of Hoyt Wilhelm on an index card. Signature: "Hoyt Wilhelm", 5x3 index card. At the time of his retirement in 1972, knuckle balling master reliever Wilhelm had appeared in more games (1,070) than any pitcher in major league history, with a late-starting career that still spanned 21 years. read more...Sale Price $59.50
$70.00
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HOYT WILHELM Hoyt Wilhelm signs a baseball in blue ink on the sweet spot. Baseball signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Official Rawlings National League baseball, Charles S. Feeney, President. read more...Sale Price $187.00
$220.00
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HOYT WILHELM National League (Feeney) baseball, signed in black felt tip Baseball signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Rawlings Official National League Baseball, Charles S. Feeney, President. Signed on the sweet-spot. read more...Sale Price $187.00
$220.00
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HOYT WILHELM Hoyt Wilhelm signs a check to Don Tinker for $350.00 for rent. Check signed: "James H. Wilhelm", 6x2¾. Columbus, Georgia, 1980 May 10. Check no. 974 filled out and signed by Wilhelm, made out to Don Tinker for $350 for "Rent to 6-10", drawn on the joint account of Mr. James H. read more...Sale Price $170.00
$200.00
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HOYT (JAMES) WILHELM $25.00 check for cash, signing with his full legal name James H. Wilhelm Check Signed: "James H. Wilhelm", 6x2¾. Columbus, Georgia, 1979 October 6. Check #663, drawn on the joint account of James H. and Peggy R. Wilhelm at the National Bank and Trust Co. read more...Sale Price $170.00
$200.00
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HOYT WILHELM Color publicity photo of Wilhelm in his New York Giants uniform preparing to pitch Photograph Signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Color, 8x10. At the time of his retirement in read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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HOYT WILHELM Black and white photo (3¼x5½) of the pitcher in his St. Louis Cardinals uniform Photograph Signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". B/w, 3¼x5½ overall, image 2¾x4¼ (one surface). Facsimile signature at bottom blank margin. read more...Sale Price $102.00
$120.00
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HOYT WILHELM Color publicity photograph of Hoyt Wilhelm in his Chicago White Sox uniform with a mitt on his hand. Photograph signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Color, 8x10. At the time of his read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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HOYT WILHELM Color publicity photograph of Hoyt Wilhelm in his New York Giants uniform preparing to pitch. Photograph signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Color, 8x10. At the time of his read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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HOYT WILHELM Color publicity photograph of Hoyt Wilhelm in his California Angels uniform with a mitt on his hand. Photograph signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Color, 8x10. At the time of his read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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HOYT WILHELM Color publicity photograph of Hoyt Wilhelm in his Atlanta Braves uniform with a glove on his left hand. Photograph signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Color, 8x10. At the time of read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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HOYT WILHELM Color publicity photograph of Hoyt Wilhelm knelling on one knee in his Atlanta Braves uniform. Photograph signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Color, 8x10. At the time of his read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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HOYT WILHELM Color publicity photograph of Hoyt Wilhelm in his New York Giants uniform preparing to pitch, matted to a size of 12x14. Photograph signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Color, 8x10, matted to an overall size of 12x14. read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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HOYT WILHELM Signed Baseball Hall of Fame Plaque postcard. Baseball Hall of Fame Plaque Postcard signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Color, 3½x5½. At the time of his retirement read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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Copy of Operation: White Sox, the team's 1963 paperback yearbook, signed by Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm, All-Star Tony Cuccinello, sportscaster Curt Gowdy, J. C. Martin and Pete Ward. Wilhelm, Martin and Ward were all White Sox between 1963 and 1967, while Cuccinello was with the team from 1943 to 1945. read more...Sale Price $306.00
$360.00
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HOYT WILHELM The Hall of Famer signs a pamphlet for the 1987 Ultimate Adult Baseball Camp at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida Pamphlet signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm" in blue felt tip. 3¼x9 folded, 15x9 open flat. read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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HOYT WILHELM Program from the 50th anniversary of the Baseball Hall of Fame, signed on the front cover by the Hall of Fame pitcher Program signed: "Hoyt/Wilhelm", 30 pages, 8x10. Program for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York, June 9-11, 1989. read more...Sale Price $153.00
$180.00
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HOYT WILHELM Signed color sports card from Pacific Trading Cards series Baseball Legends in 1989 number 171. Sports Card signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Color, 2½x3½. At the read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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HOYT WILHELM Signed color sports card from Renata Galasso from 1984 number 248. Sports Card signed: "Hoyt Wilhelm". Color, 2½x3½. At the time of his retirement in read more...Sale Price $136.00
$160.00
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BOB FELLER CO-SIGNED BY: BOB GIBSON, GAYLORD PERRY, JIM PALMER, STEVE "LEFTY" CARLTON, PHIL "KNUCKSIE" NIEKRO, ROLLIE FINGERS, WHITEY FORD, HOYT "SNACKS" WILHELM, WARREN SPAHN, read more...Sale Price $720.00
$900.00
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BASEBALL LEGENDS: ERNIE BANKS, JOHNNY BENCH, LOU BOUDREAU, BOBBY DOERR, BOB GIBSON, BILLY HERMAN, MONTE IRVIN, GEORGE KELL, RALPH KINER, BOB LEMON, JUAN MARICHAL, WILLIE MAYS, JOHNNY MIZE, JOE MORGAN, FRANK read more...Sale Price $1,440.00
$1,800.00
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BASEBALL HALL OF FAME: LUKE APPLING, ERNIE BANKS, LOU BOUDREAU, BOBBY DOERR, BOB FELLER, JUDY JOHNSON, AL KALINE, GEORGE KELL, RALPH KINER, ROBIN ROBERTS, FRANK ROBINSON, ENOS SLAUGHTER, HOYT WILHELM, BILLY read more...Sale Price $1,120.00
$1,400.00
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HALL OF FAME BASEBALL 17 players enshrined in Cooperstown signed this National League baseball. Official Rawlings National League baseball signed in ballpoint by 17 Hall of Famers: read more...Sale Price $1,280.00
$1,600.00
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HALL OF FAME BASEBALL Fifteen greats of the game signed this National League ball. Official Rawlings National League baseball, Charles S. Feeney, President, signed in ballpoint by 15 read more...Sale Price $1,120.00
$1,400.00
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BASEBALL GREATS. Official Feeney National League Baseball signed by Hall of Famers: Johnny Mize (sweet-spot, lightly soiled), Duke Snider (1926-2011), Hoyt read more...Sale Price $960.00
$1,200.00
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HANK AARON and HOYT WILHELM The Slugger and pitcher who both made it into the hall of fame sign this color photo in blue felt tip Photograph signed: "Hank Aaron" and "Hoyt Wilhelm" Color, 8x10. read more...Sale Price $289.00
$340.00
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225+ SAVES BALL CO-SIGNED BY: RICH "GOOSE" GOSSAGE , DENNIS "THE ECK" ECKERSLEY, LEE SMITH, DAVID "RAGS" RIGHETTI, JOHN FRANCO, BRUCE SUTTER, JEFF "THE TERMINATOR" REARDON, ROLLIE FINGERS, HOYT "SNACKS" WILHELM, read more...Sale Price $620.00
$775.00
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1964 CHICAGO WHITE SOX Manager Al Lopez and many members of the team pen their names on this ChiSox ball Baseball Signed: "Al Lopez" as Manager read more...Sale Price $520.00
$650.00
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1969 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 27 Signatures from the 1969 Chicago White Sox including Al Lopez, Cisco Carlos and Luis Aparicio. Baseball signed: "Ray Beeres," "Pete Ward", "Bob Priddy", read more...Sale Price $680.00
$850.00
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NEW YORK GIANTS Eleven former New York Giants sign a Cooperstown stadium series commemorative baseball bat honoring the Polo Grounds. Baseball Bat signed: "Juan/Marichal", "Orlando Cepeda", "Bobby read more...Sale Price $1,440.00
$1,800.00
