Ken Wood – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Kenneth Lanier Wood quietly left professional baseball in 1953, wrapping up a six-season run through Major League Baseball. He took his swings with three different teams along the way.

Born in Lincolnton, North Carolina, Wood lived out the classic American baseball story—a mill worker’s son fighting his way to the big leagues with grit and raw talent.

Wood’s major league career stretched from 1948 to 1953. During that time, he played outfield for the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox, and Washington Senators, putting up a .224 batting average with 34 home runs. His rise from the textile mills of North Carolina to the outfield grass of major league stadiums mirrored the dreams of so many young players hoping baseball could open bigger doors.

Wood’s career shows just how tough pro ball could be back then. Players bounced around, job security was shaky, and trades seemed to happen all the time.

He moved through three organizations, battled to keep his bat hot, and then had to figure out what came next after leaving the game. The early 1950s weren’t exactly easy for ballplayers.

Early Life and Background

Kenneth Lanier Wood was born on July 1, 1924, in Lincolnton, North Carolina. He grew up in a working-class family tied closely to the textile industry.

His athletic gifts started to show during his school years in Charlotte. He excelled in several sports, but baseball grabbed his attention most, especially during American Legion play.

Family and Childhood in Lincolnton

Ken Wood came into the world as the eighth of nine children to Oscar B. and Mary (Wingate) Wood. His father Oscar worked as a spinner at the Leaksville Woolen Mills, and that job really shaped the family’s financial situation.

By 1930, when Ken turned six, the family had settled in Paw Creek, between Gastonia and Charlotte. Textile work filled their days, with several family members working in the mills.

The three oldest siblings—Robert (19), Bessie (18), and William (16)—all worked as spinners in 1930. By 1940, Oscar kept spinning while four more kids joined the woolen mill workforce.

Key family employment at the mill:

• Ethel worked in the packing room
• James served as a weaver
• Laura worked as a spinner
• Helen inspected blankets

Growing up in this blue-collar world taught Ken a lot about hard work and sticking with things.

Education and Early Sports Development

Ken Wood went to Paw Creek Elementary School, then moved on to Central High School in Charlotte. His athletic skills really stood out during high school.

He played baseball and basketball all three years, and even gave football a shot, though it wasn’t his main sport.

Baseball soon became his top focus. Scouts started noticing his outfield skills and his swing during high school games.

Moving from rural Lincolnton to the Charlotte area gave Wood more chances to compete and get noticed.

American Legion and High School Baseball

Wood’s baseball talent took off during his American Legion days. Scout Neil “Tex” Millard from the St. Louis Browns spotted him while watching a Legion game.

Several pro teams liked what they saw. The St. Louis Cardinals even let him travel with one of their Double-A clubs.

Wood decided to stick with American Legion ball instead of signing right away with the Cardinals. That choice ended up mattering a lot for his career.

His time in Legion ball sparked a bidding war between pro teams. The Charlotte Hornets reportedly outbid the Browns for him, but some contract drama popped up and made things complicated.

Playing American Legion ball gave Wood the experience he needed for the jump to pro baseball in the early 1940s.

Entry Into Professional Baseball

Ken Wood’s road to professional baseball wasn’t exactly smooth. Multiple teams wanted him, and a legal dispute broke out that needed league officials to sort things out.

His early minor league days looked promising, but then military service put his development on pause.

Signing Controversy and Initial Contracts

Kenneth Lanier Wood’s entry into pro ball caused a stir between several teams. The St. Louis Cardinals showed early interest, even letting him travel with a Double-A club, but Wood wanted to keep playing Legion ball at that point.

When he finally decided to go pro, a tug-of-war started between the St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators. Things got so tangled that Judge W. G. Bramham, head of the National Association, stepped in.

Wood and his dad sent a telegram to the Browns, accepting their offer. “I didn’t realize that such a telegram constituted a contract,” Wood admitted later. The very next day, Calvin Griffith from the Senators offered him a spot, and Wood signed a real contract.

Judge Bramham eventually handed Wood to the St. Louis Browns, saying they had first dibs. Scout Neil “Tex” Millard from the Browns got credit for signing the young outfielder from Lincolnton, North Carolina.

Minor League Journey

Wood kicked off his pro career in 1942 with the Huntington Jewels in the Class-C Mountain State League. He hit the ground running, batting .318 with 25 home runs and leading the league with 126 RBIs.

His 1943 season was all over the map. He played two games with Toledo, then landed in the Philadelphia Athletics system. Wood logged 72 games for Elmira in the Class-A Eastern League, hitting .233.

He moved to Class-B Wilmington and suddenly found his swing, batting .333 in 30 games—exactly 100 points higher than his Elmira average.

Those early minor league years showed Wood had real power and could drive in runs. His big 1942 season put him on the map as a prospect to watch in the Browns organization.

Military Service and Return to Baseball

Wood put his baseball career on hold when he joined the Coast Guard in late 1943. He served until early 1946, missing almost three full seasons of pro ball.

While in the service, Wood married Alberta Marie Wicker on January 1, 1944. Some reports suggest he might have also spent some time in the Army at Camp Croft near Spartanburg, South Carolina.

After returning to baseball in 1946, Wood played for three teams in the Browns system. He got off to a rough start, hitting .230 with Class-B Spartanburg in 21 games.

Things picked up with AA San Antonio, where he hit .296 in 76 games.

He wrapped up 1946 with AAA Toledo, batting .229 in 27 games. Wood finished his Toledo stint on a high note, smashing a home run in his last at-bat to win the game.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Kenneth Lanier Wood played six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1948 to 1953, mostly as an outfielder. He bounced around three teams and stood out more for his defense than his bat.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Ken Wood made his MLB debut on April 28, 1948, with the St. Louis Browns. He was just 23 when he broke into the majors after starting his pro career in 1941.

With the Browns, Wood quickly earned a reputation as a solid outfielder with a cannon for an arm. In 1949, he wowed the crowd by throwing out two runners at home plate in the same inning, both times firing to catcher Sherm Lollar.

His best year came in 1950. He hit 13 home runs, set career highs with 42 runs scored, 24 doubles, 62 runs batted in, and played 128 games. The following year, Wood smacked a career-high 15 home runs, scored 40 runs, and drove in 44 RBI in 109 games.

Wood mostly played right field and left field for St. Louis. He always batted and threw right-handed.

Teams Played For

Wood’s MLB career took him to three different teams:

Team	Years	Primary Position
St. Louis Browns	1948-1951	Right/Left Field
Boston Red Sox	1952	Outfield
Washington Senators	1952-1953	Outfield

The St. Louis Browns were Wood’s main squad, where he spent four seasons from 1948 to 1951. That was the heart of his major league run.

In 1952, Wood split the season between the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators. He wrapped up his career with the Senators in 1953.

Final Season and Retirement in 1953

Wood played his last big league game on May 23, 1953, with the Washington Senators. That marked the end of his six-year MLB journey.

He finished with a .224 batting average, 34 home runs, and 143 RBI in 342 games. Wood never managed to hit above .237 in a single season, which pretty much summed up his struggles at the plate.

After leaving the majors, Wood stuck around in the minor leagues until 1956. That gave him three more years of pro ball after his MLB days ended.

Baseball databases like Baseball Reference and Retrosheet keep track of Wood’s career stats, making sure his time in the game doesn’t fade away.

Teams and Positions

Ken Wood suited up for three Major League Baseball teams between 1948 and 1953. He logged most of his innings as an outfielder, usually in right or left field.

St. Louis Browns Years

Wood started his major league career with the St. Louis Browns in 1948. He debuted on April 28, 1948, against the Detroit Tigers at age 23.

The Browns were his main team for four seasons, from 1948 to 1951. During that stretch, Wood became a steady outfielder with a strong arm.

His best numbers came while playing for the Browns. In 1950, Wood hit 13 home runs and set career highs with 42 runs scored, 24 doubles, and 62 runs batted in over 128 games.

In 1951, he hit a personal-best 15 home runs, plus 40 runs and 44 RBI in 109 games. Those were definitely his peak years.

Washington Senators Performances

Wood joined the Washington Senators in 1952 and stayed with them through 1953. The Senators became his final stop in the majors.

He played his last MLB game for the Senators on May 23, 1953, against the Philadelphia Athletics.

With Washington, Wood mostly played outfield but saw fewer games than he did with the Browns. His role shrank, and he didn’t put up big numbers.

His batting average never climbed above .237 in any year, and that trend continued during his time with the Senators.

Boston Red Sox Tenure

Wood had a short spell with the Boston Red Sox in 1952. It was by far the briefest chapter of his three-team career.

He split the 1952 season between Boston and Washington. The Red Sox stint was really just a pit stop before he finished up with the Senators.

Primary and Secondary Outfield Roles

Wood played all over the outfield. He spent most of his time in right and left field, but he occasionally filled in at center.

He had a reputation for his defensive skills, especially his arm. In 1949, Wood gunned down two runners at home plate in the same inning while playing right field.

The first runner tried to score from second on a single, but Wood threw a strike to Sherm Lollar for the out. The next batter hit a fly to right, and Wood made the catch, then fired another laser to Lollar to nail the runner from third.

Managers liked having Wood around because he could handle multiple outfield spots. His defensive versatility gave teams options during his six years in the majors.

Career Statistics and Notable Achievements

Ken Wood put up steady numbers during his six-year Major League Baseball career from 1948 to 1953. His .224 batting average, 34 home runs, and 143 RBIs show the kind of outfielder he was—solid, maybe not a star, but a guy who chipped in for three different teams.

Batting Average and Hits

Wood put up a career batting average of .224 over 342 games in the majors. Across six years, he picked up 223 hits in 995 at-bats.

His best offensive season came in 1950 with the St. Louis Browns, when he hit .225. That year, he played in 128 games and recorded 83 hits.

Wood’s batting was more steady than spectacular. He never topped .238 in a season, hitting that mark with the Washington Senators in 1952.

As an outfielder, he collected 52 doubles and 7 triples. His on-base percentage landed at .298, and his slugging percentage was .393.

Home Runs and Runs Scored

Wood hit 34 home runs in his Major League career, with his power peaking in 1950 and 1951. He knocked 13 out in 1950 and followed with 15 in 1951, both with St. Louis.

He scored 110 runs during his six seasons. In 1950, he crossed home plate 42 times, his best single-season total.

Wood drove in 143 RBIs over his career. He managed 62 RBIs in 1950, which was his highest season.

His power numbers feel typical for outfielders of his era. Wood showed some decent gap power with the doubles but didn’t hit a ton of home runs.

Fielding and Outfield Contributions

Wood mostly played right and left field during his career. He logged defensive time in 342 games out in the outfield.

Some seasons, his fielding percentage stood out. In 1948, he even posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, though he didn’t play much that year.

His range factor and defensive work fit the standards of his time. In 1950, he handled 187 total chances, which was his busiest year defensively.

Wood played both corner outfield spots capably. His glove helped keep him in the majors even when his bat didn’t stand out.

WAR and Other Advanced Metrics

Wood finished with a career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of -3.4, which points to below-average performance overall. His best season by WAR was 1952 with Washington, at 0.4.

His OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) for his career was .691. That’s below the league average for outfielders during his era.

With an OPS+ of 81, he played 19% below league average when you factor in ballpark and era. His advanced stats really paint the picture of a replacement-level player.

Even so, Wood brought value with his versatility and durability. He appeared in over 100 games twice, showing he could answer the call when needed.

Legacy, Impact, and Life After Baseball

Kenneth Lanier Wood left his mark on baseball with strong defensive play and some memorable moments on the field. After retiring, he stayed connected to the sport that shaped his early life.

Reputation Among Peers

Ken Wood earned respect from teammates and opponents for his defense in the outfield. Probably his most famous moment happened in 1949, when he threw out two runners at home plate in the same inning for the St. Louis Browns.

The first runner tried to score from second on a single to right. Wood fired a strike to catcher Sherm Lollar, who made the tag.

Right after that, Wood caught a fly ball with a runner on third. He launched another perfect throw to Lollar, who tagged out the runner trying to score after the catch.

That rare defensive feat showed off Wood’s arm and instincts. Teammates and coaches often praised how he could make big plays when the team needed them.

Role in Baseball History

Wood played during a transition period in baseball history from 1948 to 1953. He spent time with the St. Louis Browns during their final years before moving to Baltimore.

His stats tell the story of a solid role player rather than a star. Over six seasons, he hit .224 with 34 home runs and 143 RBI in 342 games.

Career Highlights:

• 1950: 13 home runs, 42 runs scored, 24 doubles
• 1951: Career-high 15 home runs, 40 runs, 44 RBI
• Teams: St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators

Wood represents the kind of player who built baseball’s foundation during its golden age. Retrosheet and other sources keep his career on record for future generations.

Life After Retirement

After his last major league game on May 23, 1953, Wood kept playing in the minor leagues until 1956. That extended his professional career for a few more years.

When he finally retired from baseball, Wood settled back in North Carolina, where he’d been born. He preferred a quiet life, away from the spotlight.

Later, he moved to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He stayed there until he passed away on November 22, 2007, at age 83.

Remembering Ken Wood

Ken Wood died in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 2007. He wanted to be cremated, so that’s what happened.

Baseball historians and statisticians still talk about Wood and keep his memory alive with detailed records. You can find his career stats on Baseball Reference and a few other historical databases.

Wood’s story makes me think about the thousands of players who poured their lives into professional baseball. He never became a household name, but his six-year career added something to the long, tangled history of America’s pastime.

People still talk about his defense and those memorable plays, especially that wild 1949 double play at home plate. Honestly, those moments capture the excitement and skill that made baseball so much fun in the late 1940s and early 1950s.