PASSINGS

Hal Woodeshick, 76, who pitched for five major league teams during an 11-year career in which he was an All-Star and part of a World Series championship team, died Sunday in his hometown of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Woodeshick has been in failing health for some time, according to an announcement from the Houston Astros.

Known as a durable reliever, Woodeshick went 44-62 with 61 saves and a 3.56 ERA with Detroit, Cleveland, the Washington Senators, Houston (when the expansion team was known as the Colt .45s) and St. Louis. He was an original member of the Colt .45s and posted the second victory in Houston history. He later led the National League with 23 saves in 1964 as a member of the Colt .45s and was named to the National League All-Star team.

Woodeshick had a quirk on the mound: Although he had an excellent pickoff move to first base, he had trouble throwing there after fielding comebackers. The problem became so pronounced that he eventually trotted toward the bag before making a soft toss.

Woodeshick threw his final pitch in the majors for St. Louis, retiring Boston star Carl Yastrzemski on a grounder late in Game 6 of the 1967 World Series.

The next day, the Cardinals won the title.

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