Early Wynn
MLB debut September 13, 1939 for the Washington Senators Last MLB appearance September 13, 1963 for the Cleveland Indians Career statistics Win–loss record 300–244 Earned run average 3.54 Strikeouts 2,334 Teams Washington Senators (1939, 1941–1944, 1946–1948) Cleveland Indians (1949–1957) Chicago White Sox (1958–1962) Cleveland Indians (1963) Career highlights and awards 8× All-Star (1955–1960²) Cy Young Award (1959) Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction 1972 Vote 76% (fourth ballot) Early Wynn Jr. (January 6, 1920 – April 4, 1999), nicknamed "Gus", was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. Armed with a powerful fastball and a hard-nosed attitude, he was identified as one of the most intimidating pitchers in the game. Wynn was born in Alabama and signed with the Senators at the age of 17, deciding to pursue baseball instead of finishing high school. Wynn spent a couple of seasons in the minor leagues, had a brief MLB stint in 1939, returned to the majors in 1941 and pitched his first full MLB season in 1942. He missed the 1945 season and a portion of the next season while serving in the military during World War II. Along with Bob Feller, Bob Lemon and Mike Garcia, Wynn was a member of one of baseball's best pitching rotations while with the Indians in the mid-1950s. He won the 1959 Cy Young Award, beginning to rely on the knuckleball as the velocity of his pitches declined. Wynn retired in 1963. He finished with exactly 300 career wins; he had spent several months in pursuit of his 300th win. Wynn served as a coach and broadcaster in the major leagues after his retirement as a player. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. He was included on the 1999 The Sporting News list of the 100 greatest players in baseball history. He died that year in an assisted living facility following a stroke.