More than a half-century ago, Wilbur Wood wowed the community with his athletic feats at Belmont High School before taking his pitching skills to the big leagues for nearly two decades.
One of the most –– if not the most –– prominent athletes in Belmont, Wilbur Wood died in January at age 84, but the Belmont Historical Society is making sure to keep his memory alive. The society will dedicate a permanent display honoring his life and achievements at the Belmont Public Library. Community members are invited to attend an official opening event on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 2-4 p.m. in the Morrissey Room.
“He didn’t forget about Belmont, so we can’t forget about him,” said Eddie Loan, who curated the exhibit along with Viktoria Haase.
“It’s just a way to have a tribute to him and honor his legacy,” Haase said.
A 1960 graduate from Belmont High, Wood earned three MLB All-Star nods across a 17-year career with the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox. He was the only Belmont High School graduate to appear in a major league baseball game.
A Cambridge native, Wood captured attention for his athletic pursuits in Belmont. As the Marauders’ football quarterback and a defender on the ice hockey team in addition to pitching, Wood helped the school to a Middlesex League football crown and the 1959 Massachusetts High School baseball state championship.
The left-handed hurler led the American League in wins in 1972 and 1973 with the White Sox. A workhorse on the hill, Wood led the league in games started in four consecutive years, from 1971-74. He was an All-Star in three of those seasons.
After retiring from baseball, Wood owned Meister’s Seafood in Belmont Center, the current home of Quebrada Baking Company.
Last fall, the historical society received a scrapbook donation featuring artifacts from the 1950s through the 1990s. Much of it highlighted Wood’s achievements. In October, Haase and Loan interviewed Wood at Loan’s house for about two hours, learning about his upbringing and how to throw the knuckleball that extended his big league career. Despite struggling with health issues late in life during the time of the interview, Wood told numerous entertaining stories and was gracious with his time and memories.
Haase used the interview –– Wood’s last –– as the lead to the society’s quarterly newsletter in March. The Waltham Historical Society reached out to notify them of their coincidental possession of Wood’s Belmont High School and Massachusetts High School all-star jerseys, which now lead the new exhibit, alongside autographed memorabilia, photographs and informational posters.
At the event, members of the Belmont Select Board, state Sen. Will Brownsberger and Rep. Dave Rogers will present proclamations. Wood’s wife, Jan; his brother, Jim (also a Belmont High School Hall of Fame athlete); and extended family are expected to be in attendance. The permanent display will live in the society’s second-floor room at the library.
“We want to keep him alive,” Loan said. “The way he lived his life was inspirational. He loved a challenge. He didn’t always win, but he tried like hell every single time.”
