Otey Clark

Who was Otey Clark?

William Otis Clark was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox in 1945. He was born in Boscobel, Wisconsin. The 29-year-old rookie stood 6-foot 1-1/2-inches and weighed 190 pounds.

Clark is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major leagues during World War II. He made his major league debut on April 17, 1945, pitching in relief against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. His finest pitching effort that season came on September 19 in the seconde game of a doubleheader at Fenway Park. He hurled a complete game shutout against the Philadelphia Athletics, winning by a score of 3-0.

Clark also defeated Bob Feller in the 1945 season, in Feller's first game back in baseball following World War II.

Season and career totals include a record of 4-4 in 12 games pitched, nine games started, four complete games, one shutout, three games finished and an ERA of 3.07 in 82 innings pitched. He struck out 20 and walked 19. Also good with the bat and glove, Clark hit .208 and handled 11 chances in the field without an error.

One day before appearing in the 1945 season opener, Clark pitched to Jackie Robinson in the latter's tryout for the Boston Red Sox.