Wilhelm began his career with the New York Giants in 1952. He was a relief pitcher for the majority of his career, and was known for his ability to pitch multiple innings in relief. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 1958, and in 1959, he became the first pitcher in MLB history to record a save in an All-Star Game.
Wilhelm was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1962, and he continued to be a reliable relief pitcher. He was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in 1965, and he was named to the All-Star team in 1966. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 1967, and he was named to the All-Star team again in 1968.
Wilhelm was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1969, and he won the National League Comeback Player of the Year Award that season. He was traded to the California Angels in 1971, and he retired after the 1972 season.
Throughout his career, Wilhelm pitched in 1,070 games and recorded 227 saves. He was the first pitcher in MLB history to record 200 saves, and he was the first pitcher to record 1,000 appearances. Wilhelm was a reliable relief pitcher who was known for his knuckleball and his ability to pitch multiple innings in relief. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.
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