Ed Walsh
Inducted:
1946
Personal Details
6-1, 193lb (185cm, 87kg)
Born:
May 14, 1881
Plains Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:
May 26, 1959
Pompano Beach, Florida, U.S.
Position:
Pitcher
College:
Fordham University
Ed Walsh was a pitching powerhouse in the dead-ball era, best known for his devastating spitball and unmatched endurance. He holds the lowest career ERA in MLB history at 1.82, a record that still stands.
Walsh spent most of his career with the Chicago White Sox, leading them to a World Series title in 1906. In 1908, he had one of the greatest pitching seasons ever — 40 wins, 1.42 ERA, and 464 innings pitched.
He led the American League in innings pitched four times and posted 10 or more shutouts in three seasons. Walsh's dominance was built on pinpoint control, intelligence, and a pitch that baffled hitters.
Despite arm troubles shortening his career, his peak was so extraordinary that he earned induction into the Hall of Fame in 1946. Walsh was a true workhorse whose legacy lives in both numbers and lore.
Walsh's Awards and Records
- World Series champion (1906)
- AL wins leader (1908)
- 2× AL ERA leader (1907, 1910)
- 2× AL strikeout leader (1908, 1911)
- Pitched a no-hitter on August 27, 1911
- Inducted into National Baseball Hall of Fame (1946)
- MLB Record: Lowest Career ERA (1.82)
- 40 Wins in a Single Season (1908)
- 464 Innings Pitched in 1908
- World Series Champion (1906)
- 4× AL Innings Pitched Leader
- 3× AL Shutouts Leader
- Inventive user of the spitball (legal during his career)
- Career WHIP of 1.00 (Top 10 all-time)
- One of baseball’s greatest workhorse pitchers
MLB Teams:
As player
Chicago White Sox (1904–1916)
Boston Braves (1917)
As manager
Chicago White Sox (1924)
Number Worn:
49
MLB Stats
Seasons:
14 (1904–1917)
Games Played:
430
Wins–Losses:
195–126
ERA:
1.82 (lowest in MLB history)
Strikeouts:
1,736
Complete Games:
250
Shutouts:
57
Innings Pitched:
2,964.1