Willis Hudlin

Who was Willis Hudlin?

George Willis Hudlin was born in Wagoner, Oklahoma, and was a Major League Baseball pitcher for, most notably, the Cleveland Indians from 1926 to 1940. Hudlin didn't pitch more than 10 games with any other team, although he played with 3 others.

In 1940, Hudlin became one of the few players to compete on 4 different major league teams in the same year. His career statistics include a 158–156 record, with a 4.41 ERA. He had 677 strikeouts in 2613 career innings pitched. Hudlin was the pitcher who gave up Babe Ruth's 500th home run.

His pitch selection included a well-known sinker, a fastball, curveball and a changeup. He occasionally threw sidearm or with an underhand "dip of the wrist," though he threw overhand most often. After Hudlin finished playing in the majors, he was a manager for the minor league Little Rock Travelers.

Hudlin died in Little Rock, Arkansas at the age of 96.

He was also a scout for the New York Yankees.