Woody Main

Forrest Harry Main

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3½", Weight 195 lb.

• Debut April 21, 1948
• Final Game April 28, 1953
• Born February 12, 1922 in Delano, CA USA
• Died June 27, 1992 in Whittier, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Before the 1941 season Woody Main was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent. The 6'4" nineteen-year-old righthander was assigned to the Idaho Falls Russets of the class C Pioneer League where he appeared in 35 games and went 8-17 with a 3.81 ERA. In 1942, he was with the Binghamton Triplets of the class A Eastern League going 2-4 and finishing up the year with the Norfolk Tars of the class B Piedmont League, going 2-6 with a combined 3.19 ERA.

From 1943-1945 The United States Marine Corps called for Woody and and he spent these three years serving in World War II.

Back in time for the 1946 season, where he was with the Yankees organization again, Forrest Main was dubbed "Woody" in 1946 by former pitching great Lefty Gomez while with the Binghamton Triplets again. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1947 Rule V Draft, he divided the next three years between Pittsburgh and the Indianapolis Indians and led the American Association with 60 appearances in 1951, also winning 12 and losing 13 with a 4.22 ERA.

But Woody had a record of 2-12 for the lowly Pirates in 1952 and was gone from the majors with a record of 4-13 in 79 games after two more relief appearances in 1953. He was with the Toronto Maple Leafs also in 1953, going 4-1 with a 3.56 ERA and wound up his pro baseball career going 2-3 with a 2.52 ERA for the Hollywood Stars in 1954.

Woody had spent eleven active seasons in pro baseball. The tall righthander had a winning total of 54 games but lost 72 in 344 appearances. He pitched 992 innings, giving up 978 base hits along with 496 base on balls, for a minor league career 3.49 ERA.

Woody who had worked in liquor sales, died June 27, 1992, at age 70 in Whittier, CA.