Woody Main – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Baseball fans usually remember the big stars who stuck around for decades, but honestly, the stories of journeyman players can be just as interesting—maybe even more so. Forrest Harry “Woody” Main is a great example of one of those lesser-known but fascinating tales from baseball’s golden era. He stood 6-foot-3 and weighed in at 195 pounds, and this right-handed pitcher built a respectable career during a time when the game was still pulling itself together after World War II.

Woody Main’s professional baseball career ran from 1948 to 1953, and all his major league games came with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His journey through pro baseball included serving in the military during World War II, which cut into what could have been a longer career. Main, a California native, appeared in 79 major league games and racked up 107 strikeouts during his time in the big leagues.

Let’s take a look at Woody Main’s career, from his early life in California and his path through the minors, to his years with the Pirates. He served as a Marine before making it to MLB and later worked in liquor sales after he retired. Main’s story is pretty typical for a lot of players who helped shape baseball’s history in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Early Life and Background

Forrest Harry “Woody” Main was born on February 12, 1922, in Delano, California. He spent his childhood developing the skills that would eventually put him on the path to Major League Baseball.

His early years in California’s Central Valley laid the groundwork for his baseball career during the 1940s and 1950s.

Birthplace and Family

Woody Main entered the world in Delano, California, a small farming town in Kern County. Born as Forrest Harry Main, everyone knew him as “Woody” once he started playing pro ball.

Delano, back in the 1920s, was your typical Central Valley ag town. Most folks worked in agriculture, especially grapes and other crops.

Not much is known about Main’s family background. Like most families in rural California back then, they probably worked in or around the local ag industry.

Growing up during the Great Depression, Main faced tough times like so many others his age. That era really shaped a lot of young Americans.

Formative Years in Delano, California

Main spent his childhood in Delano during the 1920s and 1930s. The community didn’t offer a ton of recreational options for kids.

Baseball was huge in small California towns. Local teams and amateur leagues gave people something to do and watch.

With Delano’s ag-based economy, a lot of young men worked on farms or in related jobs. All that physical labor built strength, which probably helped Main later on as a pitcher.

California’s mild weather meant you could play baseball almost year-round. That’s a big advantage for young players like Main, giving him more time to practice compared to kids in colder places.

Standing 6-foot-3, Main towered over his peers. That size definitely helped him once he started pitching.

Early Interest in Baseball

Main fell in love with baseball as a kid in Delano. The sport was a welcome distraction from the tough times of the Depression.

He got his first taste of organized baseball through local programs and amateur leagues. Those early games let him sharpen his pitching skills.

Local coaches noticed his right-handed throwing and natural athleticism. By his teenage years in the late 1930s, Main’s potential was pretty obvious.

Professional scouts started to pay attention. That interest led to his first pro contract with the New York Yankees organization.

By the time he hit his late teens, Main put baseball at the center of his life. That dedication would soon take him far from his Central Valley roots.

Professional Baseball Career

Woody Main’s pro baseball journey stretched over a decade, starting when the New York Yankees signed him as an amateur free agent in 1941. He made his way to the major leagues after serving in World War II and spending years in the minors, eventually landing with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1948 to 1953.

Signing with the New York Yankees Organization

The New York Yankees brought Woody Main on board as an amateur free agent before the 1941 season. At just 19, the 6’4″ right-hander showed enough promise to earn that first contract.

He kicked off his career with the Idaho Falls Russets in the Class C Pioneer League. Main pitched in 35 games his rookie year, finishing with an 8-17 record and a 3.81 ERA.

He moved up to the Class A Eastern League in 1942, pitching for the Binghamton Triplets. Main posted a 2-4 record before wrapping up the season with the Norfolk Tars in the Class B Piedmont League, where he went 2-6.

His combined ERA across both teams in 1942 was 3.19. So, even though the win-loss record wasn’t great, he was improving.

Minor League Development and Achievements

World War II put Main’s baseball career on hold from 1943 to 1945. He served in the United States Marine Corps during those three years.

Main got back into baseball in 1946 with the Yankees organization. Former pitching great Lefty Gomez started calling him “Woody” while he was with the Binghamton Triplets that year.

Key Minor League Stats:

• Total seasons: 11 active seasons
• Win-loss record: 54-72 in 344 appearances
• Innings pitched: 992
• Career ERA: 3.49

The Pittsburgh Pirates grabbed Main in the 1947 Rule V Draft. He bounced between Pittsburgh and their minor league club, the Indianapolis Indians, for the next few years.

Main’s best minor league season came in 1951. He led the American Association with 60 appearances for Indianapolis, finishing with a 12-13 record and a 4.22 ERA.

Joining the Pittsburgh Pirates

Main made his big league debut on April 21, 1948, with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Over his MLB career, he appeared in 79 games from 1948 to 1953 as a 6’3″ right-hander.

He saw the most action in 1952. Main threw 153 innings for the Pirates that year, posting a 2-12 record and a 4.46 ERA for a team that, honestly, was struggling.

MLB Career Stats:

• Win-loss record: 4-13
• ERA: 5.14
• Strikeouts: 107
• Complete games: 2 in 11 starts

Main’s last major league appearance came on April 28, 1953. He pitched in just two relief games that season before his MLB days were over.

After leaving the majors, Main kept playing pro ball. He joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1953 and went 4-1 with a 3.56 ERA.

He wrapped up his professional career in 1954 with the Hollywood Stars, finishing 2-3 with a 2.52 ERA.

Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Woody Main spent his whole major league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, from 1948 to 1953. He appeared in 79 games as a right-handed pitcher. Those years were tough, especially the rough 1952 season that pretty much signaled the end of his time in pro baseball.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Main debuted in the majors on April 21, 1948, for the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 26. Pittsburgh had picked him up in the 1947 Rule V Draft from the Yankees.

His early years with the Pirates were a bit up and down. Main pitched in the 1948 and 1950 seasons but also spent a lot of time moving between the big league club and their minor league affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians.

While with Indianapolis in 1951, Main proved he could handle a heavy load by leading the American Association with 60 appearances. He logged a 12-13 record and a 4.22 ERA that year, showing he could be a reliable arm.

The Pirates thought Main had the stamina to handle a lot of innings. His minor league performance suggested he could help out at the major league level.

Role and Performance in the 1952 Season

The 1952 season was Main’s busiest in the majors, but it wasn’t exactly a highlight reel. He got his most playing time that year, pitching 153 innings for the Pirates.

Main’s stats that season weren’t great. He finished with a 2-12 record and a 4.46 ERA, struggling to find his rhythm on the mound.

The Pirates were having a rough time as a team, and that didn’t help Main’s win-loss record. Those 12 losses reflected both his own struggles and the team’s.

Even with all the challenges, Main’s 153 innings pitched showed the Pirates trusted him to take the ball often. He made both starts and relief appearances that year.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1953

Main’s major league career ended during the 1953 season. He pitched only two relief games for the Pirates before his time in MLB wrapped up.

His last game came on April 28, 1953. After those appearances, the Pirates moved on without him at the big league level.

Main didn’t hang up his spikes right away. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1953, putting up a solid 4-1 record with a 3.56 ERA.

He finished out his pro baseball days in 1954 with the Hollywood Stars, going 2-3 with a 2.52 ERA. That capped off his 11-year run in professional baseball.

Key Highlights and Milestones

Main’s big league stats with the Pirates included a 4-13 record over 79 games in five seasons. He struck out 107 batters during his MLB career.

His 5.14 ERA showed he struggled at the highest level. Main completed two games out of 11 starts with Pittsburgh.

The most notable thing about Main’s career might be his durability. He kept showing up, season after season, even if the results weren’t always pretty. Main moved between starting and relief roles, proving he could adapt.

Former pitching star Lefty Gomez gave him the nickname “Woody” in 1946 while Main played for the Binghamton Triplets. That name stuck with him throughout his pro career.

Career Statistics and Analysis

Woody Main’s four-year run with the Pittsburgh Pirates produced a 4-13 win-loss record and a 5.14 ERA over 79 games. His 1952 season was his busiest, logging 153.1 innings with mixed results.

Win–Loss Record and ERA

Main’s career numbers tell the story of a pitcher who faced a lot of challenges in the majors. He finished with 4 wins and 13 losses, giving him a .235 winning percentage. His 5.14 ERA was well above the league average for his era.

Season-by-Season Breakdown:

• 1948: 1-1 record, 8.33 ERA in 17 games
• 1950: 1-0 record, 4.87 ERA in 12 games
• 1952: 2-12 record, 4.46 ERA in 48 games
• 1953: 0-0 record, 11.25 ERA in 2 games

His 1950 season looked the most promising, with a 4.87 ERA. Main struck out 107 batters in his career and walked 84. His WHIP was 1.436, so control was definitely an issue.

Notable Games and Performances

Main’s 1952 season was his biggest contribution to the Pirates. He pitched in 48 games, including 11 starts, and completed 2 games. That was the heaviest workload of his MLB career.

His best stats came in 1950 when he managed a 4.87 ERA over 20.1 innings. Main picked up one save that year and posted a perfect 1.000 winning percentage. He also improved his control, with a 1.09 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

In 1952, Main pitched a career-high 153.1 innings. Even though he got plenty of chances, he struggled to stay consistent. Those 12 losses that year made up a big chunk of his career total.

Comparative Analysis with Teammates

Main’s numbers put him among the Pirates’ relief pitchers and spot starters in the late 1940s and early 1950s. His career ERA+ was 79, meaning he performed 21% below league average.

The Pirates had a tough time during Main’s years, finishing with losing records most seasons. Main’s 4-13 record mirrored the team’s struggles. His 1.27 career strikeout-to-walk ratio was below average for pitchers back then.

Defensively, Main was competent, with a .900 fielding percentage. He caught 10 runners stealing and allowed 10 stolen bases. Those defensive stats suggest he was decent at controlling the running game.

Military Service and Personal Life

Woody Main’s life stretched far beyond the baseball field. He showed real dedication to his family, community, and country, especially through his military service during World War II.

He joined the United States Marine Corps and put his baseball dreams on pause to serve during a crucial time in American history.

Service in the United States Marine Corps

Main signed up with the United States Marine Corps in World War II. The country needed people like him, and he answered the call.

He served from 1942 to 1946, stepping away from the New York Yankees farm system, where he’d been building his pitching skills since 1941.

When war broke out, Main left baseball behind and shipped out overseas. He spent about four years serving during some of the toughest battles in the Pacific.

Like a lot of athletes from his generation, Main gave up some of his best years on the mound for military duty.

He finished his service in 1946 and went right back to baseball. By 1947, he was pitching for the Kansas City Blues and put up a 7-6 record, which got the attention of Pittsburgh Pirates manager Billy Meyer.

Family and Personal Interests

Main was born in Delano, California on February 12, 1922. His family always backed his athletic goals, even when he was a kid.

Growing up in California’s Central Valley gave him a strong work ethic and a stubborn sense of determination.

He stood 6-foot-3 and weighed about 195 pounds. On the mound, he looked every bit the part and played with a fierce competitive streak.

Main kept most details about his immediate family, marriage, and children private. Honestly, a lot of players from that era just didn’t talk much about their personal lives.

He stayed connected to his California roots all his life. Eventually, he settled in Whittier, California, and lived there until he died in 1992.

Life After Baseball

After retiring from professional baseball in 1954, Main stepped away from the sport that had defined so much of his life.

He finished up with the Hollywood Stars, going 2-3 with a 2.52 ERA in his last season.

For nearly forty years after baseball, Main lived quietly in Southern California. He kept to himself and didn’t seek out the spotlight anymore.

He died on June 27, 1992, in Whittier, California, at age 70. Main’s life reflected a mix of military service and professional sports—two things that shaped who he was.

Legacy and Recognition

Woody Main’s four years in the Major Leagues left a modest but clear mark on baseball history. He pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his career statistics are still out there in baseball records and archives.

Impact on the Pittsburgh Pirates

Main took on the role of a reliable relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates during some tough seasons in the early 1950s.

In 1952, he pitched 153 innings for a Pirates team that really struggled.

He appeared in 79 games from 1948 to 1953. Over those years, he posted a 4-13 record and a 5.14 ERA.

Main mostly worked out of the bullpen, but he did make 11 starts and finished two games. He contributed during a rough stretch for the Pirates.

Presence in Historical Baseball Records

Main’s stats live on in Major League Baseball’s official records and in various baseball history databases. His 107 career strikeouts and other numbers are still available for anyone who wants to look them up.

Key Career Statistics:

• Games: 79
• Wins: 4
• Losses: 13
• ERA: 5.14
• Strikeouts: 107

Sites like Retrosheet.org keep detailed records of his games and stats. Thanks to these digital archives, researchers and baseball fans can still find info about his career.

His last Major League game came on April 28, 1953, against the Chicago Cubs. The stats from that day—3 innings pitched, 3 strikeouts—are still recorded for anyone curious enough to check.

Commemorations and Memorials

Main rests at North Kern Cemetery in Delano, California. He grew up there after being born in 1922.

You can find a memorial page for him on Find a Grave, which shares details about his baseball career and what he did after he retired.

Baseball encyclopedias and reference books include his story, so he stays part of the sport’s history. These books track his journey from signing as an amateur free agent with the New York Yankees to making his Major League debut with Pittsburgh.

Former pitching legend Lefty Gomez called him “Woody” back in 1946, and that nickname stuck. Historical accounts still use it when they talk about him.