Wilson was a weak-hitting third baseman for two years in the minors before taking the mound. In his initial Red Sox outing, in 1935, he relieved Wes Ferrell and hit an 11th-inning homer for his first major league hit and first victory. He went 16-10 at his best in 1937 and 15-15 in 1938, starting and relieving, and saved 20 games in seven years with Boston.
