Early Life
Wilhelm played high school baseball in Huntersville, North Carolina. There, he began experimenting with a knuckleball after reading about Dutch Leonard.
Wilhelm served in the United States Army in the European Theater during World War II. Wilhelm participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was wounded, earning the Purple Heart for his actions. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Because of his military service, he was nicknamed "Ol' Sarge".
Read more about this topic: Hoyt Wilhelm
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