On Smokey Joe Wood

[M's_Fan]

Wood wasn't a hall of famer, but was a heck of a hurler before he got injured. I was just thinking last night about Smokey Joe, and why doesn't he appear in some of the earlier sets of the era? His rookie year was technically 1908 (22 innings pitched), though he didn't pitch much until 1909, when he went a 11-7, with 160 innings pitched.

It seems like Wood should appear in the T206 and the caramel issues or at least the 1911 T205 Gold Border set. If anyone has any info on this, please chime in.

So what was Wood's first card? Was it the 1912 T207 Brown Background?



and 1912 T202 Triple folder? (which also, coincidentally, features his longtime roomate and friend, Tris Speaker).



Feel free to share your Smokey Joe cards, perhaps we can chronicle them all during his career.

Thanks!

[collectbaseball]

I have a great looking (but trimmed, ugh) example of his 1910 E91-C card. I wish he was in some of the more popular sets, though -- his Cracker Jack card might be one of my favorites.

[ethicsprof]

I remember some years back on this board when we fretted over Smokey and some other key players not being on the T206s.
He is one of my favorites and a great player.
I have him on the Polo Grounds and on the T200 and that's about it methinks.
best,
barry

[Robextend]

I have a 1910 American Caramel E91C Wood. I will post a scan later.

[M's_Fan]

Originally Posted by collectbaseball

I have a great looking (but trimmed, ugh) example of his 1910 E91-C card. I wish he was in some of the more popular sets, though -- his Cracker Jack card might be one of my favorites.

So is his E91-C Joe's first card? Anyone have a picture? Any other Wood cards out there?

[Leon]

There are actually quite a few Joe Wood cards. I can think of several off the top of my head.....D381, 1915 W-Unc, M101-4/5, etc.......There are probably about 10-20 vintage sets with him, I would guess.....

[Griffins]

here is his '15 CJ, haven't scanned the E91c yet

[timn1]

His M116 would be earlier than either T202 or T207. M116s were issued beginning in April 1910, and although SJ's was a "high number" and would have come late in the distribution, it was out by March 1911.

This scan is not of my card (can't find that scan right now); it's one that has been shown around a good bit-- cool because it's autographed.

[doug.goodman]

But, I still love those Police Gazette supplements...

This one of Wood is from April 12, 1913

[scooter729]

From later in his career, my V100

[soxinseven]

Here is my M101-5

[soxinseven]

My other Wood card H801-9

[ephus]

Smokey Joe Wood, correctly described as not a Hall of Famer, was a super star pitcher for a couple years. He has a great story of how he came back as an outfielder and actually hit .366 in 1921. I highly recommend getting the audio CD of "The Glory of Their Times" by Larry Ritter. He has a very entertaining and enlightening interview with Smokey Joe. You also learn from the CD how he came up with his name Joe (Not his real name!).

Below is my prize Smokey Joe card, 1914 Cracker Jack. Please pardon Mr. Lajoie's appearance in the scan, a real Hall of Famer.

I would love to pick up a M101-5 some time. It is a classic too along with the Cracker Jack.

[rhettyeakley]

Here is what I have for Joe...

Wood, Joe (Smokey Joe)
• 1913 Barker Game
• 1913 Baseball Mag Prem
• 1912 Baseball Stars Series
• 1916 BF2 Pennants
• 1912 Boston American PC
• 1912 Bost Daily Amer PC
• 1913 Colgans Tin Tops
• 1914 Cracker Jack 22
• 1915 Cracker Jack 22
• 1910 E91-C
• 1922 E120
• 1921 E121-80
• 1922 E122
• 1917 E135 194
• 1922 Exhibits
• 1916 Fleischmanns (D381)
• 1921 Herpolsheimer’s
• 1909/13 M101-2
• 1916 M101-4 195
• 1916 M101-5 196
• 1910/11 M116
• 1913 National Game
• 1912 Photo Art Shop PCw/john
• 1913 Police Gazette Supp
• 1914 Polo Grounds Game
• 1912 Red Sox Tattoos
• 1909/16 Max Stein PC
• 1911 T5 652
• 1912 T202 (2)
• 1912 T207
• 1914 T330-2
• 1914 Texas Tommy Type I
• 1914 Texas Tommy Type II
• 1923 V100 / E123
• 1912 Vassar Sweaters
• 1915 W-UNC
• 1923 W572
• 1922 W573
• 1922 W575-1
• 1910 Washington Times

[Robextend]

It's off to SGC, but I have a scan when I first received it. But as we all know E91C cards don't depict the actual player!!

[Bosox Blair]

Polo Grounds:

[thegashousegang]

Not a card, but my only Smokey Joe - recently purchased as well. From 10-31-1912.

[Exhibitman]

"Can I throw harder than Joe Wood? Listen, my friend, there's no man alive can throw harder than Smoky Joe Wood."---Walter Johnson

[ksfarmboy]

Joe Wood mascot with the Ouray team top right, Ness City team bottom right with glove, and Hutchinson team. Too bad he had the injury, who knows how his career might have turned out.

[JamesGallo]

I find it interesting that his cards are generally priced at about the same as a mid tier hofer. Do his stats just not compare or should he be in the hall?

James G

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by JamesGallo

Do his stats just not compare or should he be in the hall?

James G

His peak was about as lofty as a peak can be - in his prime he was a devastating and dominant pitcher...and a huge crowd draw. But his pitching career was cut short by injury, so his career pitching stats fall below the milestones we expect in a Hall-of-Famer.

He did show his fortitude and athleticism by continuing his career as a pretty darn good hitter. But again, taking a view of his career batting stats, they don't scream Hall-of-Fame.

Cheers,
Blair