| Hal Woodeshick | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: August 24, 1932 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| Died: June 14, 2009 (aged 76) Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 14, 1956, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 28, 1967, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 44–62 |
| Earned run average | 3.56 |
| Strikeouts | 484 |
| Saves | 61 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Harold Joseph Woodeshick (August 24, 1932 – June 14, 2009) was an American left-handed pitcher who spent eleven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Detroit Tigers (1956 and 1961), Cleveland Indians (1958), the original modern Washington Senators franchise (1959–60), the expansion Washington Senators club (1961), Houston Colt .45s / Astros (1962–65), and St. Louis Cardinals (1965–67). He was the first closer in the history of the Astros' franchise. He was also a member of the Cardinals' 1967 World Series Championship team. He was nicknamed "The Switchman" for his ability to "turn out the lights" on opposing batters.[1]
- ^ Reed, Robert. A Six-Gun Salute: An Illustrated History of the Houston Colt .45s 1962–1964. Houston, Texas: Gulf Publishing Co., 1999.