This Helmar “This Great Game” card portrays Hoyt Wilhelm in his New York Giants uniform, captured mid-delivery in the distinctive motion that baffled hitters for over two decades. The image, bathed in the warm hues of a fading sunset, perfectly evokes the timeless mastery of one of baseball’s most durable and ingenious pitchers.

James Hoyt Wilhelm, born in 1922 in Huntersville, North Carolina, was a late bloomer who changed the very nature of relief pitching. After serving heroically in World War II — where he was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge — Wilhelm began his professional baseball career at an age when many players were already established in the majors.

Debuting with the New York Giants in 1952, Wilhelm made an immediate impact. Using his signature knuckleball — a pitch that danced and dipped unpredictably — he went 15–3 with a 2.43 ERA, helping the Giants to a pennant. That season, he even hit a home run in his very first major-league at-bat, the only one of his career.

What set Wilhelm apart, however, was his ability to extend his career through intelligence, finesse, and adaptation. Over 21 seasons, he became one of baseball’s first true relief 
specialists, setting standards for longevity and effectiveness that few have matched. He appeared in 1,070 games, an astonishing record at the time, and compiled a 2.52 career ERA — one of the best in history for pitchers of his era.

Wilhelm’s knuckleball, thrown with almost no spin, became a symbol of control through chaos. Catchers dreaded it, hitters cursed it, and fans marveled at its mysterious flight.
His longevity —pitching effectively into his late forties — made him a pioneer for generations of relievers to come.

After stints with the Orioles, White Sox, and several other clubs, Wilhelm retired in 1972. His influence continued long after his final pitch, as he became the first relief pitcher ever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series celebrates those who redefined the sport. Card No. 55 honors Hoyt Wilhelm — the master of the knuckleball and a trailblazer who proved that intelligence, craft, and patience could triumph over time itself. Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.