the Double-A Southern League and went 10–7 with 13 saves a 2.32 ERA in 50 relief appearances. In 124 innings, he allowed 96 hits and 43 walks, while striking out 96 batters. Despite being a relief pitcher, Womack led the team in victories, also pacing the squad in games pitched and strikeouts. He finished second on the team in ERA, innings pitched and hits allowed and second in the league in appearances, behind Dennis Higgins. He batted .291 in 55 at-bats at the plate and was used as a pinch hitter frequently. Prior to the start of the 1965 season, Womack claimed that he was ready to pitch at the Triple-A level, the highest level of American professional baseball below the major leagues. "I've had three pretty good years in a row", he said, "I feel I can do the job." Womack received his wish, as he was assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens on May 3. He went 10–4 with a 2.17 ERA in 34 games that season, making a return to the starting rotation as he started 13 games, six of which he completed. In 145 innings, he allowed 110 hits and 41 walks, striking out 73 batters. Though he did not lead the International League or his team in any categories, he finish second on the squad in victories (tied with Jack Curtis), winning percentage (.714), shutouts (three), innings pitched, walks and wild pitches (five, tied with Tom Dukes). Following the season, to ensure no other team could claim him, the Yankees added Womack to their 40-man roster and on October 19, he was promoted to the New York Yankees. Major league debut Though earlier in his career Womack was not considered a prospect, by 1966 Yankees general manager Ralph Houk had dubbed him a "possible valuable pitching [asset]." He earned a spot on the team's Opening Day roster out of that year's spring training, in part because the team was depleted by injuries. Womack made his major league debut against the Detroit Tigers on April 14 at the age of 26. He appeared in relief of Pedro Ramos and pitched three innings, allowing one hit and no runs while hitting two batters (Al Kaline and Willie Horton) consecutively. He was then relieved by Jack Cullen. He did not receive a decision. On July 10, he made the first — and only — start of his