Virgil Trucks: Difference between revisions

Virgil Trucks
Virgil Trucks
	Trucks with the St. Louis Browns
	Pitcher
	Born: April 26, 1917; Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
	Died: March 23, 2013 (aged 95); Calera, Alabama, U.S.
	Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
	September 27, 1941, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
	September 26, 1958, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	177–135
Earned run average	3.39
Strikeouts	1,534
Teams
	Detroit Tigers (1941–1952); St. Louis Browns (1953); Chicago White Sox (1953–1955); Detroit Tigers (1956); Kansas City Athletics (1957–1958); New York Yankees (1958);
Career highlights and awards
	2× All-Star (1949, 1954); 2× World Series champion (1945, 1960); MLB strikeout leader (1949); Pitched two no-hitters;

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Virgil Oliver "Fire" Trucks (April 26, 1917 – March 23, 2013) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees between 1941 and 1958. He batted and threw right-handed.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Trucks posted a 177–135 win–loss record with 1,534 strikeouts and a 3.39 ERA in 2,682.2 innings pitched over a 17-year career.

Trucks was a two-time All-Star and a two-time league leader in shutouts. In 1952, Trucks became the third major leaguer to throw two no-hitters in a season. After his playing career, Trucks coached for several years in the major leagues. At the time of his death in March 2013, he was one of the oldest living former major league players.

Career[edit]

The Detroit Tigers signed Trucks as an amateur in 1938. In his first pro season, Trucks set a minor league record with 418 strikeouts.^{[citation needed]} He also threw four no-hitters in the minors.^{[citation needed]} He debuted with the Tigers in the fall of 1941.

Trucks missed two seasons due to military service in World War II and was discharged from the Navy less than two weeks before his start in the second game of the 1945 World Series. Because of the war and returning servicemen, the American and National Leagues waived the rule requiring players to have been on the team's roster by September 1 to qualify for post-season play. He defeated the Chicago Cubs in that game. At the time of his death, he was the last living pitcher to face the Cubs in a World Series game. The only other pitcher to win a post-season game without winning a regular season game is Chris Carpenter of the 2012 St. Louis Cardinals.^{[citation needed]}

In 1949, Trucks was selected for the MLB All-Star Game and he led the league in shutouts and strikeouts. In 1952, despite a 5–19 record and the Detroit Tigers' equally terrible 50-104-2 record, Trucks became just the third major league pitcher to hurl two no-hitters in one season (three others have since matched the feat). He won both no-hitters by a score of 1-0, beating the Washington Senators on May 15^[1] and the New York Yankees on August 25.^[2] In the 1953 season, Trucks recorded a 20-10 record, 149 strikeouts and a 2.93 ERA and finished fifth in AL MVP voting. He had been traded early that season from the St. Louis Browns to the Chicago White Sox, becoming one of a small number of pitchers traded during a 20-win season. ^[who?] He earned his second All-Star distinction in 1954, a year in which he led the AL in shutouts for a second time.

Along with his two no-hitters in his major league career, Trucks has also thrown four one-hitters and four two-hitters.^{[citation needed]}

Coaching[edit]

After retiring as a player, Trucks joined the coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning the 1960 World Series with them against his old team, the Yankees. He continued coaching with the Pirates, then coached the Atlanta Braves and ended his MLB career with the Tigers in 1974.^[3]

Personal life[edit]

Trucks was the uncle of Butch Trucks, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, and Chris Trucks. Trucks' great nephew, Duane (Chris' son), is a member of Widespread Panic and has a brother, Derek, who is in a band with his wife, Susan Tedeschi, Tedeschi Trucks Band and was in the final lineup of the Allman Brothers Band.^[4]

Later life[edit]

Trucks was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1974 and into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.^[5]^[6]

In the summer of 2012, Trucks was injured in a fall, but he made a recovery.^[7] He died on March 23, 2013, at the age of 95 in Calera, Alabama.^[8] He had been hospitalized with pneumonia shortly before his death.^[7]

References[edit]

^ "Washington Senators at Detroit Tigers Box Score, May 15, 1952".
^ "Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees Box Score, August 25, 1952".
^ "1960 Pirates: Where are they now?".
^ DunlopTV – Derek Trucks – YouTube
^ Virgil Trucks, 95, Threw Two No-Hitters in the Major Leagues, Baseball Think Factory
^ "Inductees: Michigan Sports Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
^ ^a ^b Gage, Tom, Paul, Tony (March 24, 2013). "Virgil Trucks, Who Pitched Two Tigers No-hitters in 1952, Dies at 95". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Virgil Trucks, 95, threw two no-hitters in the major leagues – Worldnews.com

External links[edit]

Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
Virgil Trucks at Baseballbiography.com
Virgil Trucks at Find a Grave

Achievements
Preceded by Allie Reynolds Carl Erskine	No-hitter pitcher May 15, 1952 August 25, 1952	Succeeded by Carl Erskine Bobo Holloman

[1] "Washington Senators at Detroit Tigers Box Score, May 15, 1952".

[2] "Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees Box Score, August 25, 1952".

[3] "1960 Pirates: Where are they now?".

[4] DunlopTV – Derek Trucks – YouTube

[5] Virgil Trucks, 95, Threw Two No-Hitters in the Major Leagues, Baseball Think Factory

[6] "Inductees: Michigan Sports Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2013-03-26.

[Dies-7] Gage, Tom, Paul, Tony (March 24, 2013). "Virgil Trucks, Who Pitched Two Tigers No-hitters in 1952, Dies at 95". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[8] Virgil Trucks, 95, threw two no-hitters in the major leagues – Worldnews.com

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|American baseball player}}
 {{Infobox baseball biography
 |name=Virgil Trucks
@@ Line 6: / Line 7: @@
 |position=[[Pitcher]]
 |birth_date={{birth date|1917|4|26}}
-|birth_place=[[Birmingham, Alabama]]
+|birth_place=[[Birmingham, Alabama]], U.S.
 |death_date={{Death date and age|2013|3|23|1917|4|26}}
-|death_place=[[Calera, Alabama]]
+|death_place=[[Calera, Alabama]], U.S.
 |bats=Right
 |throws=Right
@@ Line 39: / Line 40: @@
 * Pitched two [[no-hitters]]
 }}
-'''Virgil Oliver "Fireball" Trucks''' (April 26, 1917 – March 23, 2013) was an American [[Major League Baseball]] [[pitcher]] with the [[Detroit Tigers]], [[St. Louis Browns]], [[Chicago White Sox]], [[Kansas City Athletics]] and [[New York Yankees]] between 1941 and 1958. He batted and threw right-handed.
+'''Virgil Oliver "Fire" Trucks''' (April 26, 1917 – March 23, 2013) was an American [[Major League Baseball]] [[pitcher]] with the [[Detroit Tigers]], [[St. Louis Browns]], [[Chicago White Sox]], [[Kansas City Athletics]] and [[New York Yankees]] between 1941 and 1958. He batted and threw right-handed.
-A native of [[Birmingham, Alabama]], Trucks posted a 177–135 [[Win–loss record (pitching)|won-loss record]] with 1,534 [[strikeout]]s and a 3.39 [[earned run average|ERA]] in 2,682.2 [[innings pitched]] over a 17-year career.
+A native of [[Birmingham, Alabama]], Trucks posted a 177–135 [[Win–loss record (pitching)|win–loss record]] with 1,534 [[strikeout]]s and a 3.39 [[earned run average|ERA]] in 2,682.2 [[innings pitched]] over a 17-year career.
 Trucks was a two-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] and a two-time league leader in [[shutout]]s.  In 1952, Trucks became the third major leaguer to throw two [[no-hitter]]s in a season.  After his playing career, Trucks coached for several years in the major leagues.  At the time of his death in March 2013, he was one of the oldest living former major league players.
 ==Career==
-The [[Detroit Tigers]] signed Trucks as an amateur in 1938.  In his first pro season, Trucks set a minor league record with 418 strikeouts.  He also threw four no-hitters in the minors.  He debuted with the Tigers in the fall of 1941.
+The [[Detroit Tigers]] signed Trucks as an amateur in 1938. In his first pro season, Trucks set a minor league record with 418 strikeouts.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} He also threw four no-hitters in the minors.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} He debuted with the Tigers in the fall of 1941.
-Trucks missed two seasons due to military service in World War II and was discharged from the [[United States Navy|Navy]] less than two weeks before his start in the second game of the [[1945 World Series]].  Because of the circumstances, the leagues waived the rule requiring players to have been on the team's roster by September 1 to qualify for post-season play.  He defeated the [[Chicago Cubs]] in that game.  At the time of his death, he was the last living pitcher to face the Cubs in a World Series game.  The only other pitcher to win a post-season game without winning a regular season game is [[Chris Carpenter]] of the [[2012 St. Louis Cardinals season|2012]] [[St. Louis Cardinals]].
+Trucks missed two seasons due to military service in World War II and was discharged from the [[United States Navy|Navy]] less than two weeks before his start in the second game of the [[1945 World Series]]. Because of the war and returning servicemen, the American and National Leagues waived the rule requiring players to have been on the team's roster by September 1 to qualify for post-season play. He defeated the [[Chicago Cubs]] in that game. At the time of his death, he was the last living pitcher to face the Cubs in a World Series game. The only other pitcher to win a post-season game without winning a regular season game is [[Chris Carpenter]] of the [[2012 St. Louis Cardinals season|2012]] [[St. Louis Cardinals]].{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
-In 1949, Trucks was selected for the [[MLB All-Star Game]] and he led the league in shutouts and strikeouts.  In 1952, despite a 5–19 record, Trucks became just the third major league pitcher to hurl two no-hitters in one season (three others have since matched the feat).  He won both no-hitters by a score of 1-0, beating the [[Washington Senators (1901–60)|Washington Senators]] on May 15 and the New York Yankees on August 25.  In the 1953 season, Trucks recorded a 20-10 record, 149 strikeouts and a 2.93 ERA; he finished fifth in AL MVP voting.  He had been traded early that season from the [[St. Louis Browns]] to the [[Chicago White Sox]], becoming one of a small number of pitchers traded during a 20-win season.  He earned his second All-Star distinction in 1954, a year in which he led the AL in shutouts for a second time.
+In 1949, Trucks was selected for the [[MLB All-Star Game]] and he led the league in shutouts and strikeouts. In 1952, despite a 5–19 record and the Detroit Tigers' equally terrible 50-104-2 record, Trucks became just the third major league pitcher to hurl two no-hitters in one season (three others have since matched the feat). He won both no-hitters by a score of 1-0, beating the [[Washington Senators (1901–60)|Washington Senators]] on May 15<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET195205150.shtml | title=Washington Senators at Detroit Tigers Box Score, May 15, 1952 }}</ref> and the New York Yankees on August 25.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA195208250.shtml | title=Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees Box Score, August 25, 1952 }}</ref> In the 1953 season, Trucks recorded a 20-10 record, 149 strikeouts and a 2.93 ERA and finished fifth in AL MVP voting. He had been traded early that season from the [[St. Louis Browns]] to the [[Chicago White Sox]], becoming one of a small number of pitchers traded during a 20-win season. {{who?|date=May 2022}} He earned his second All-Star distinction in 1954, a year in which he led the AL in shutouts for a second time.
+Along with his two no-hitters in his major league career, Trucks has also thrown four one-hitters and four two-hitters.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
 ===Coaching===
-After retiring as a player, Trucks joined the coaching staff of the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], winning the [[1960 World Series]] with them against his old team, the Yankees.  He continued coaching with the Pirates, then coached the [[Atlanta Braves]] and ended his MLB career with the Tigers in 1974.<ref>[http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10286/1094612-63.stm]</ref>
+After retiring as a player, Trucks joined the coaching staff of the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], winning the [[1960 World Series]] with them against his old team, the Yankees.  He continued coaching with the Pirates, then coached the [[Atlanta Braves]] and ended his MLB career with the Tigers in 1974.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10286/1094612-63.stm|title = 1960 Pirates: Where are they now?}}</ref>
 ==Personal life==
+{{Main|Trucks family}}
-Trucks was the uncle of [[Butch Trucks]], a founding member of the [[Allman Brothers Band]].  Trucks' great nephew, [[Duane Trucks|Duane]], is a member of [[Widespread Panic]] and has a brother, Derek, who is in a band with his wife, [[Susan Tedeschi]], [[Tedeschi Trucks Band]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li20-CDmOWU#! DunlopTV – Derek Trucks – YouTube<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
+Trucks was the uncle of [[Butch Trucks]], a founding member of [[The Allman Brothers Band]], and Chris Trucks.  Trucks' great nephew, [[Duane Trucks|Duane]] (Chris' son), is a member of [[Widespread Panic]] and has a brother, [[Derek Trucks|Derek]], who is in a band with his wife, [[Susan Tedeschi]], [[Tedeschi Trucks Band]] and was in the final lineup of the Allman Brothers Band.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li20-CDmOWU#! DunlopTV – Derek Trucks – YouTube<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
 ==Later life==
-Trucks was inducted into the [[Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1974 and into the [[Michigan Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1985.<ref>[http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/newsstand/discussion/virgil_trucks_95_threw_two_no_hitters_in_the_major_leagues Virgil Trucks, 95, Threw Two No-Hitters in the Major Leagues, ''Baseball Think Factory'']</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.michigansportshof.org/inductees_past.php |title=Inductees: Michigan Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=2013-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709091345/http://www.michigansportshof.org/inductees_past.php |archive-date=2013-07-09 |dead-url=yes |df= }}</ref>
+Trucks was inducted into the [[Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1974 and into the [[Michigan Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1985.<ref>[http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/newsstand/discussion/virgil_trucks_95_threw_two_no_hitters_in_the_major_leagues Virgil Trucks, 95, Threw Two No-Hitters in the Major Leagues, ''Baseball Think Factory'']</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.michigansportshof.org/inductees_past.php |title=Inductees: Michigan Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=2013-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709091345/http://www.michigansportshof.org/inductees_past.php |archive-date=2013-07-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-In the summer of 2012, Trucks was injured in a fall, but he made a recovery.<ref name=Dies>{{cite news|last=Gage|first=Tom, Paul, Tony|title=Virgil Trucks, Who Pitched Two Tigers No-hitters in 1952, Dies at 95|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130324/SPORTS0104/303240339|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130410181844/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130324/SPORTS0104/303240339|dead-url=yes|archive-date=April 10, 2013|accessdate=March 26, 2013|newspaper=The Detroit News|date=March 24, 2013}}</ref> He died on March 23, 2013, at the age of 95 in [[Calera, Alabama]].<ref>[http://article.wn.com/view/2013/03/24/Virgil_Trucks_95_threw_two_nohitters_in_the_major_leagues/#/related_news Virgil Trucks, 95, threw two no-hitters in the major leagues – Worldnews.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>  He had been hospitalized with [[pneumonia]] shortly before his death.  He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Trucks and five children: Jimmy Trucks, Carolyn T Beckwith, Virgil Trucks Jr, Darryl Trucks and Wendy Trucks.<ref name=Dies/>
+In the summer of 2012, Trucks was injured in a fall, but he made a recovery.<ref name=Dies>{{cite news|last=Gage|first=Tom, Paul, Tony|title=Virgil Trucks, Who Pitched Two Tigers No-hitters in 1952, Dies at 95|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130324/SPORTS0104/303240339|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410181844/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130324/SPORTS0104/303240339|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2013|access-date=March 26, 2013|newspaper=The Detroit News|date=March 24, 2013}}</ref> He died on March 23, 2013, at the age of 95 in [[Calera, Alabama]].<ref>[http://article.wn.com/view/2013/03/24/Virgil_Trucks_95_threw_two_nohitters_in_the_major_leagues/#/related_news Virgil Trucks, 95, threw two no-hitters in the major leagues – Worldnews.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>  He had been hospitalized with [[pneumonia]] shortly before his death.<ref name=Dies/>
 ==See also==
 {{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
-*[[Detroit Tigers team records#Best pitching seasons by a Tiger with sortable statistics|Best pitching seasons by a Detroit Tiger]]
-* [[1945 Detroit Tigers season]]
 * [[List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders]]
 * [[List of Major League Baseball no-hitters]]
@@ Line 73: / Line 76: @@
 {{Reflist}}
-==Sources==
+==External links==
+{{baseballstats|mlb=|espn=|br=t/truckvi01|brm=trucks001vir|fangraphs=|retro=T/Ptrucv101}}
-*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060113113136/http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/T/Trucks_Virgil.stm Baseball Library]
+*[https://baseballbiography.com/virgil-trucks-1919 Virgil Trucks] at Baseballbiography.com
-{{baseballstats|br=t/truckvi01}}
-*{{Find a Grave}}
+*{{find a Grave|107233196}}
 {{s-start}}
 {{s-ach|ach}}
-{{Succession box | title=[[List of Major League Baseball no-hitters|No-hitter pitcher]] | before= [[Allie Reynolds]]<br/>[[Carl Erskine]] | years= May 15, 1952<br/>August 25, 1952 | after= [[Carl Erskine]]<br/>[[Bobo Holloman]]}}
+{{Succession box | title=[[List of Major League Baseball no-hitters|No-hitter pitcher]] | before= [[Allie Reynolds]]<br />[[Carl Erskine]] | years= May 15, 1952<br />August 25, 1952 | after= [[Carl Erskine]]<br />[[Bobo Holloman]]}}
 {{s-end}}
 {{1960 Pittsburgh Pirates}}
 {{1945 Detroit Tigers}}
+{{Baltimore Orioles Opening Day starting pitchers}}
 {{Chicago White Sox Opening Day starting pitchers}}
 {{AL strikeout champions}}
@@ Line 99: / Line 103: @@
 [[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
 [[Category:Pittsburgh Pirates coaches]]
-[[Category:Sportspeople from Birmingham, Alabama]]
+[[Category:Baseball players from Birmingham, Alabama]]
-[[Category:Baseball players from Alabama]]
 [[Category:Andalusia Bulldogs players]]
 [[Category:Alexandria Aces players]]
 [[Category:Beaumont Exporters players]]
 [[Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players]]
-[[Category:Miami Marlins (IL) players]]
+[[Category:Miami Marlins (International League) players]]
 [[Category:People from Calera, Alabama]]
-[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia]]
+[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in Alabama]]
+[[Category:Trucks family]]
+[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]

v t e Pittsburgh Pirates 1960 World Series champions
2 Bob Oldis 4 Bob Skinner 5 Hal Smith 6 Smoky Burgess 7 Dick Stuart 9 Bill Mazeroski 11 Dick Schofield 12 Don Hoak 14 Rocky Nelson 16 Gene Baker 18 Bill Virdon 19 Bob Friend 20 Gino Cimoli 21 Roberto Clemente 22 Joe Gibbon 23 Joe Christopher 24 Dick Groat (NL MVP) 26 Roy Face 29 Clem Labine 30 Wilmer Mizell 31 Harvey Haddix 32 Vern Law (CYA) 35 Fred Green 37 Tom Cheney 39 George Witt
Manager 40 Danny Murtaugh Coaches 41 Bill Burwell 42 Mickey Vernon 43 Sam Narron 44 Frank Oceak 45 Lenny Levy Virgil Trucks
Regular season

v t e Detroit Tigers 1945 World Series champions
1 Bob Swift 2 Ed Mierkowicz 3 Eddie Mayo 4 Rudy York 5 Hank Greenberg 6 Roy Cullenbine 7 Joe Hoover 8 Doc Cramer 9 Paul Richards 10 Tommy Bridges 11 Dizzy Trout 12 John McHale 14 Jim Tobin 15 Les Mueller 16 Hal Newhouser (AL MVP) 17 Zeb Eaton 18 Stubby Overmire 19 Al Benton 20 Billy Pierce 21 Art Houtteman 22 Bob Maier 23 Hack Miller 24 Walter Wilson 25 George Caster 26 Chuck Hostetler 27 Jimmy Outlaw 28 Skeeter Webb 30 Red Borom 34 Hub Walker 35 Virgil Trucks 36 Prince Oana
Manager 32 Steve O'Neill Coaches 31 Art Mills
Regular season