All-Time Indians: Smokey Joe Wood

An interesting story of two careers, Smoky Joe Wood was one of the best pitchers in baseball for the Red Sox from 1908 through 1916, then an outstanding outfielder for the Cleveland Indians from 1918 through 1922. As a pitcher, he was among the hardest throwing of his day according to Ty Cobb, but after more than 1,400 innings across eight seasons, he had burned out his shoulder. During that span, he earned a top five MVP spot, 117 wins, a 1.99 ERA and almost 1,000 strike outs. In his near MVP 1912 season, he lead the American League in wins (34), complete games (35) and shut outs (10), but when he refused to play without a raise in 1916, he was sold to Cleveland the following year for just $15,000.

Wood started his first game for the Indians on May 26th, 1917 and gave up three runs in eight innings to the Yankees, the final start of his MLB career. He was moved to the bullpen for four more appearances that season, but it appeared his promising career was at an end.

Wood wasn’t about to let things go this easily, however, as he transitioned into being a full time outfielder during the off-season. He had been a decent hitter for a pitcher during his career, particularly in his 1912 season when he batted .290/.348/.435 in a career high (to that point) 141 at bats. While he had never played anywhere other than the mound with Boston, he made his debut in left field on April 25th, 1918 and by the end of the season he was a .296 hitter with 22 doubles, four triples and five home runs. Despite it being his first year as a regular hitter, only Tris Speaker outplayed Wood’s production at the plate as he finished second on the team in average and doubles.

The Indians were better offensively in 1919 and Wood was given a more reduced role, playing in the corners between Jack Graney and Elmer Smith starts. This was, by far, Wood’s worst year as an offensive player, batting just .255 in 72 games with a career worst (as a hitter) ten doubles. In 1920 and 1921, Wood would continue that role, mostly in right field and he continued to be an solid offensive presence. Combined, he played in 127 games over the two years, batting .326 with 90 RBI, 27 doubles and 7 triples. While Smith was a super star and Speaker a Hall of Famer, there is an argument that Wood should have been a more regular starter over Charlie Jamieson. Between the four of them, however, this was essentially the strongest group of outfielders the Indians would have until Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle and Manny Ramirez in the mid-1990’s.

In the first of those two seasons, the Indians had assembled their greatest team in whole in franchise history and made their way to the World Series against the Brooklyn Robins. In the best of nine series, the Indians would win 5-2 and Wood participated in four games including a double and two runs scored in the Indians opening game win.

After two great years as the fourth man, Wood was given the starting job again in 1922. Almost exclusively in right field, he put together a line of .297/.367/.442 in a career high 142 games played. He also posted career best marks in almost every stat down the line including runs (74), hits (150), doubles (33), HR (8), RBI (92) and walks (50). For the second time, Wood was the Indians second best hitter behind Speaker, who batted .378 with 48 doubles.

After such a season, it would seem like Wood would have quite a few seasons left under his belt, but at the age of 32, he retired to spend more time with his family. After his career and through 1944 he coached baseball at Yale before retiring from the sport for good. Wood died in 1985 at the age of 95 years old. Few players had the type of career that Wood did as a pitcher, but then to have such a career as a hitter as well is truly impressive. As a dead ball hitter, he produced far more than he ever allowed as a pitcher, was one of the best right fielders in Indians history and a big part of their first World Series winning team.