Wynn Hawkins

Wynn Firth Hawkins
(Hawk)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.
• School Baldwin-Wallace College
• High School New Waterford High School
• Debut April 22, 1960
• Final Game June 9, 1962
• Born February 20, 1936 in East Palestine, OH USA
• Died February 11, 2021 in Canfield, OH USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Wynn Hawkins played parts of three years in the majors.

An Ohio native, Hawkins was signed by the Cleveland Indians prior to the 1955 season and began his pro career that year with the Fargo-Moorhead Twins of the Northern League, going 10-12 with a 4.43 ERA in 42 appearances. The following summer, in 1956, he won 16 games and posted a 2.92 ERA for the Fayetteville Highlanders of the Carolina League. With the Mobile Bears in 1959, he went 14-9 with a 2.55 ERA and was a Southern Association All-Star.

Hawkins reached the majors as a member of Cleveland's Opening Day roster in 1960. He made his big league debut on April 22nd of that year, making the start against the Kansas City Athletics but lasting less than 3 innings and taking the loss. He did much better in his second start, however, giving up no earned runs over 11 innings of work to earn the win over the Detroit Tigers. On June 17th, he was the victim when Ted Williams went deep with his 500th career home run. Despite going 4-4 with a 4.23 ERA in 15 appearances for the Indians, Hawkins was back in the minors with the Toronto Maple Leafs by midsummer.

Hawkins was back with the Indians in 1961. He began the season in the bullpen but by late April had joined the rotation. In his first start of the year, in the second game of an April 30th doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, he notched a five-hit complete game win. The next month, on May 21st, he threw a two-hit shutout against the Minnesota Twins. Overall, he ended the year with a 7-9 record and 4.06 ERA in 30 games.

Hawkins made 3 appearances for Cleveland in 1962, but after posting a 7.36 ERA, he was back in the minors by June. He continued to play through 1964 but never made it back to the big leagues.

Away from the diamond, Hawkins played college basketball at Baldwin Wallace University (he was unable to play baseball for the school because he had already signed a pro contract). He ended his basketball career as the school's all-time career scoring leader with 1392 points.

Following his playing days, Hawkins was an Indians scout, the team's traveling secretary, and worked in the club's sales department. He also wrote for the Cleveland Plain Dealer for a time and later worked for General Motors.

Related Sites

• Baldwin Wallace Alumni Athletics Association Hall of Fame