Wilcy Moore

William Wilcy Moore
(Cy)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 195 lb.
• High School Hollis High School
• Debut April 14, 1927
• Final Game September 28, 1933
• Born May 20, 1897 in Bonita, TX USA
• Died March 29, 1963 in Hollis, OK USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Wilcy Moore is now considered to have won the American League ERA title, with a 2.28 figure as a rookie in 1927. However, under the rules of the time, he was not considered eligible for the title in spite of his 213 innings pitched, as he had only compiled 6 complete games - in 12 starts - fewer than the minimum 10 required at the time. His teammate Waite Hoyt, who posted a 2.64 ERA for the New York Yankees, is therefore credited with the title in many reference sources.

Wilcy was also the Yankees' pitching hero in that year's World Series, saving a 5-4 win in Game 1, and pitching a complete game victory in Game 4 to put the finishing touch on a four-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Five years later, Moore was again the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series, clinching the Yankee sweep of the Chicago Cubs. His two wins in World Series clinching games are tied (with ten others) for the most in a World Series career.

At age 30 in 1927, Moore is the oldest of seven rookies to lead the AL in ERA, based on modern qualifying criteria of 1 IP per team game. Wilcy is the only rookie to lead either league in both ERA and saves, and his 13 saves are the most for any pitcher, rookie or not, when leading his league in ERA.

Notable Achievements

• AL ERA Leader (1927)
• 3-time AL Saves Leader (1927, 1929 & 1931)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1927)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1927)
• Won three World Series with the New York Yankees (1927, 1928 & 1932) (he did not play in the 1928 World Series)

Related Sites

• Wilcyu Moore at the SABR Bio Project