All-Time Indians: Willis Hudlin

Willis Hudlin was one of the greatest innings eater in Indians history. While he wasn’t the greatest pitcher ever, he pitched 15 years for the Tribe (out of 16 seasons in his career) throwing at least 125 innings each year except for 1936. While he didn’t play in the best time in Indians history, he was able to make the most of it and outpitched every other pitcher on the team during his tenure. Between 1927 and 1928 three Indians starters lost 17 games (tied for 10th most single season losses for the Tribe), but Hudlin managed to avoid this. Over those two years Hudlin went 32-28 while the rest of the team went 96-151.

Over his career Hudlin added up a lot of numbers getting into the Indians top five in losses, games, starts, innings, hits allowed and runs allowed. While it is a negative, it is also worth noting that he has the record for most runs allowed in a single season (155 in 1931). In his career he is also in the top ten in wins, complete games and walks allowed. The list of pitchers ahead of him in most of these numbers is very impressive and includes Mel Harder, Early Wynn, Bob Lemon, Stan Coveleski, Addie Joss and Bob Feller. A list of Indians Hall of Famers and a few retired numbers. Hudlin himself is not in the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame, mostly because of his 4.02 ERA in an era of pitchers like Coveleski (2.80 career ERA). Hudlin died in 2002.