MILFORD, PA — The Columns Museum has added a new exhibit. Baseball legend Smoky Joe Wood is memorialized through many newspaper clippings, photographs and memorabilia—including his shirt, shoes and even a pair of eyeglasses.

You can bet that Wood wasn’t in need of glasses when he was drafted by the Red Sox in 1908. He would go on to be one of the most beloved and talented players in major league history. Given the nickname “Smoky” due to the velocity of his fastball, Wood’s best year was 1912, when he completed the season with 34 wins and only five losses. He threw 10 shutouts in 16 consecutive victories and ended the season with an amazing 1.91 E.R.A. He also happened to win three World Series games against the New York Giants to top off the season.

While “Joe” is the name he answered to most of his life, his birth name was Harold. The name change came about after he and his brother Harvey attended the circus. A pair of clowns performed and got up to some silly antics, reminding Harold and Harvey’s father of the trouble his boys often got into. From that day on, he referred to his boys as Joe and Pete, the names of the two clowns.

Wood’s family had a farm in Shohola, and Wood eventually built his own home adjoining that property—on a side hill near Parker’s Glen Brook. He would retire to the farm at the end of the baseball season and enjoy hunting and fishing.

When Wood retired from the majors in 1922, he took a coaching position at Yale University, where he mentored the baseball team for 20 years. 

The Pike County Historical Society celebrates Joe’s birthday each year on October 25, which has been officially declared “Smoky Joe Wood Day” in Pike County.

More information about this baseball legend can be found now at the Columns Museum, 608 Broad St. 

The museum will celebrate Smoky Joe Wood’s Birthday Bash on Saturday, October 25.

Contributed by the Columns Museum.