Willis Hudlin

George Willis Hudlin
(Ace)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
• High School Wagoner High School
• Debut August 15, 1926
• Final Game August 31, 1944
• Born May 23, 1906 in Wagoner, Indian Territory USA
• Died August 5, 2002 in Little Rock, AR USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Willis Hudlin was a mainstay in the Cleveland Indians organization for fifteen years and won 158 games during his career.

Born in Oklahoma one year before it achieved statehood, Hudlin grew up in the new state and began his pro career with the Waco Cubs of the Texas League in 1926, going 16-11 for the club. By season's end, he was in the majors with the Indians, and he went on to win 18 games in his first full big league season of 1927. He surrendered Babe Ruth's 500th home run on August 11, 1929. After being let go by the Indians in 1940, he briefly played with the Washington Senators, New York Giants, and St. Louis Browns that year.

Hudlin played in the minors with the Little Rock Travelers from 1941 to 1946. Hudlin managed the 'Travelers' in 1942, 1945-46 and 1952. He was also a part-owner of the club, and he sold himself to the Browns in 1944 for a brief major league comeback. Following the season, the owner Hudlin purchased the pitcher Hudlin back from St. Louis. He also later played for the Jackson Senators of the Southeastern League in 1947 and 1948. He later was owner and manager of the Greenville Bucks in 1955, until he surrendered the team to the league on July 5, saying he was "out of business".

After his playing career ended, Hudlin was the Detroit Tigers pitching coach from 1957 to 1959. He later was a scout for the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees through 1974.

Hudlin and his contemporary Chuck Corgan are the only two major leaguers (through 2007) born in Wagoner, OK. They were born three and a half years apart, but whereas Corgan died of cancer in 1928, Hudlin lived until 2002.

Related Sites

• Willis Hudlin at the SABR Bio Project