Wilhelm pitched in the early 50s and was still around befuddling hitters with his knuckleball well into the 1970s (he was almost 50 at the time). Though primarily a reliever, the Baltimore Orioles made him a starter for a couple of years and he did quite well (even pitched a no hitter against the mighty Yankees on national TV). He was also an integral part the NY Giants winning the 1954 World Series. He, along with Elroy Face (and maybe Joe Page) are what I call prototypical closers, though the role wasn't totally refined as there were no real set-up men in those days. Wilhelm essentially did his own set up work. Hoyt Wilhelm is the answer to an incredible piece of trivia: He hit a home run in his first at bat and never hit another for the rest of his career. I always wished I could throw a knuckleball. [At least I got the velocity of a knuckleball.]

Somehow,I think he's still pitching-somewhere.He's still the first name I think of regarding relief pitchers-and I think he invented the knuckelball.

No hit the Yankees. Who said he couldn't start. Best knuckeball ever.

Great knuckleballer.