Theodore “Cork” Wilks (November 13, 1915 – August 21, 1989) was a professional baseball player. He was born in Fulton, New York.
Wilks was a right-handed pitcher over parts of ten seasons (1944–53) with the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians. For his career, he compiled a 59–30 record in 385 appearances, most as a relief pitcher, with an 3.26 earned run average and 403 strikeouts. Wilks was a member of two Cardinals World Series championship teams, defeating the St. Louis Browns in 1944 and the Boston Red Sox in 1946. In World Series play, he compiled an 0–1 record in three appearances, with a 4.91 earned run average and seven strikeouts.
Stellar rookie season
Wilks was a 28-year-old rookie pitcher in 1944. He beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on August 29, for his eleventh victory in a row. Wilks took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, prior to Frank McCormick hitting for a single. It was one of three Cincinnati hits. Wilks concluded the 1944 season with a 17-4 record and a 2.65 earned run average. Following his impressive rookie season, Wilks encountered arm problems which limited his effectiveness. However, he became an important pitcher in the Cardinal bullpen in the post-World War II era.
Cardinal Numbers
- 51 wins
- 20 losses
- 3.25 ERA
- 742.2 Innings Pitched
- 328 Strikeouts
- 218 Base on Balls
- Best season was 1944 when he was 17-4 and 16 complete games