Earl Wilson, a right-handed pitcher, made his debut in Major League Baseball with the Boston Red Sox. Born on October 2, 1934, in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Wilson's journey to the major leagues began when he signed with the Red Sox in 1953. After spending several years in the minor leagues, he finally broke into the majors in 1959. His early years with the Red Sox were marked by a struggle to find consistency, but he gradually developed into a reliable starting pitcher.

Wilson's career took a significant turn on June 26, 1962, when he pitched a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. This achievement made him the first African American pitcher in the American League to throw a no-hitter. In addition to his prowess on the mound, Wilson was also known for his batting skills, a rarity among pitchers. He hit 35 home runs over his career, which was an impressive feat for a pitcher.

In 1966, Wilson was traded to the Detroit Tigers, a move that proved beneficial for both him and the team. With the Tigers, he became an integral part of their pitching rotation. His best season came in 1967 when he won 22 games, finishing third in the American League in wins. That year, he also led the league in shutouts, demonstrating his ability to dominate opposing hitters.

Wilson's time with the Tigers coincided with a period of success for the team. In 1968, the Tigers won the World Series, although Wilson did not pitch in the series. Nonetheless, his contributions during the regular season were vital in helping the team reach the postseason.

After his tenure with the Tigers, Wilson spent a brief period with the San Diego Padres before retiring from baseball in 1970. Over his career, he accumulated 121 wins, 1,452 strikeouts, and a 3.69 earned run average. Beyond his statistics, Wilson was remembered for breaking barriers as one of the few African American pitchers of his era and for his dual-threat capability as a pitcher and hitter.

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