Virgil
Oliver Trucks (born April 26, 1919 in Birmingham, Alabama) is
a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1941
through 1958, Trucks played for the Detroit Tigers (1941-1943,
1945-1952, 1956), St. Louis Browns (1953), Chicago White Sox (1953-1955),
Kansas City Athletics (1958) and New York Yankees (1958). He batted
and threw right handed.
In a 17-season career, Trucks posted a 177-135 record with 1534
strikeouts and a 3.39 ERA in 2682.2 innings pitched. His career
numbers are not reflective of the quality of his pitching. In
1952, he was 5-19 with the last place Detroit Tigers (50-104).
His five wins came from two no-hitters, a one-hitter, and a two-hitter.
Trucks suffered from playing for poor defensive teams until he
came to the Chicago White Sox.
Trucks had an excellent pre-war minor league career (1938-41).
He threw 4 no-hitters in the minors and still holds the American
Baseball strikeouts in a season record of 418 strikeouts (1938).
He struck out another 30 batters in the playoffs.
Trucks is also the uncle of Butch Trucks, a founding member of
the legendary group, the Allman Brothers Band. Trucks' great nephew,
Derek Trucks, is also currently a member of the Allman Brothers
Band and fronts his own band, The Derek Trucks Band. In addition,
several of Trucks' other relatives are accomplished musicians
including Derek's brother, drummer Duane Trucks.