Wood vs Wood #189

Last time it was 1987 with the 6-3 victory. Who will win this matchup?

Dick Hall gets a simple spring training headshot photo, with lots of green grass and trees behind him. Hall came up with the Pirates in 1952 as an outfielder. He played parts of three seasons for the Pirates without showing much promise offensively. Hall had been experimenting with pitching in the Mexican winter league, and in 1955 decided to commit to pitching full-time. He started the season at Class-A Lincoln and pitched so well that he was called up to the Pirates in July. In 15 games for the Pirates he went 6-6 with a 3.91 ERA, a very solid season for someone who hadn't pitched professionally before that season. He struggled over the next few seasons and was traded to the A's in 1960. After one season in the A's starting rotation he was traded again, to Baltimore. The Orioles converted the 31-year-old Hall to a reliever, and he responded by becoming one of the best in baseball over the next decade, saving 60 games over nine seasons in Baltimore, with a 2.89 ERA. In three World Series he was sensational, going 2-1 with 2 saves and a 0.00 ERA, helping the Orioles win two World Series. (He lost Game 4 of the 1969 World Series on an unearned run, allowing a leadoff double and an intentional walk before being replaced by Pete Richert, who threw away JC Martin's sacrifice bunt to lose the game). After his baseball career he was an accountant. He died this past June at the age of 92.

Joe Hesketh delivers the ball in a spring training game. Hesketh was able to put up some good numbers during his career, but he was often injured. He was having a great rookie season in 1985 (10-5, 2.49 ERA) before breaking his leg in a home plate collision in August. Nerve issues in his shoulder limited his effectiveness over the next few seasons. He was traded to the Red Sox in 1990 and had a big comeback season the following year, going 12-4 with a 3.29 ERA, leading the AL in winning percentage. He was unable to replicate that success in future seasons, and retired after the 1984 season. Since his playing career he has kept a fairly low profile, but has been involved in some youth coaching.