Edward "Ed" Willett (July 18 1887 – May 30 1961) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1910 to 1914. He appeared primarily for the Detroit Tigers, with brief stints for the St. Louis Browns and the Boston Red Sox.
Early life and education
Willett was born in Franklinton, North Carolina. Details of his early education and amateur baseball experience are limited in major reference works.
Professional career
| Year | Team | League | Games (G) | Wins–Losses (W–L) | Earned Run Average (ERA) | Innings Pitched (IP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | Detroit Tigers | AL | 7 | 0–2 | 3.88 | 38.0 |
| 1911 | Detroit Tigers | AL | 30 | 13–9 | 2.81 | 221.2 |
| 1912 | Detroit Tigers | AL | 39 | 13–13 | 3.15 | 255.0 |
| 1913 | Detroit Tigers | AL | 35 | 12–12 | 3.30 | 244.2 |
| 1914 | Detroit Tigers / St. Louis Browns | AL | 34 | 13–11 | 3.06 | 263.1 |
| 1915 | Boston Red Sox | AL | 2 | 0–0 | 7.20 | 5.0 |
| Career | 147 | 51–47 | 3.17 | 1026.1 |
Note: Statistical data are derived from historical baseball records (e.g., Baseball‑Reference.com).
Willett was a left-handed pitcher who also batted right-handed. Over his MLB tenure, he compiled a career win–loss record of 51–47, an earned run average (ERA) of 3.17, and 210 strikeouts. He was known for his durability, regularly pitching over 200 innings in multiple seasons.
Later life and death
After his major‑league career, Willett continued to play in minor‑league baseball, including assignments with the Indianapolis Indians and the New London Planters. He retired from professional baseball in the early 1920s. Willett died on May 30 1961 in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the age of 73.
Legacy
Ed Willett is remembered as a reliable left‑handed starter during the dead‑ball era, contributing to the Detroit Tigers' pitching staff throughout the early 1910s. His career statistics place him among the more effective pitchers of his era, though he has not been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
