Early Wynn

Early Wynn didn't just want to beat hitters; he wanted to dominate them. For 23 seasons, the right-hander embodied old-school intimidation, pitching inside with a snarl and a powerful fastball. He began with the Washington Senators, but his career found its defining arc after a trade to Cleveland, where he became the workhorse ace of a consistently excellent team. Wynn was a late bloomer by Hall of Fame standards, winning his only Cy Young Award at age 39 with the Chicago White Sox. His relentless pursuit of 300 career victories became a compelling drama, a goal he finally achieved at age 43 by pitching into the ninth inning of a gritty complete game. He was the definition of a competitor, a pitcher who believed the plate belonged to him.