Bob Wolcott’s fourth season in professional baseball was a whirlwind.

He and his family didn’t even have time to celebrate his 22nd birthday - which passed unheralded on Sept. 8 - until Saturday.

Wolcott, a pitcher who turned pro after graduating from South Medford High School, reported to training camp in mid-February. He whipped through Class AA Port City and Class AAA Tacoma before leaping to the majors Aug. 18.

If that wasn’t enough, the Seattle Mariners activated the young right-hander to start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series - and he won.

“After such a long season, it’s just nice to get home and relax,” Wolcott said Friday.

Relaxing for him means hammering whiffle balls over the roof or going out and playing pool.

“It tickles me that he always comes home, goes down and buys a dozen whiffle balls,” said his dad, Bob Sr. “Here’s a major-league pitcher and the first thing he does is go out and play whiffle ball.”

Despite Wolcott’s contribution, the Mariners lost their first playoff series to the Indians - four games to two. Cleveland is now representing the A.L. in the World Series.

He and his wife, Kris, will find an apartment and a more leisurely pace during the off-season.

“He’s going to be doing a lot of hunting and fishing,” Bob Sr. said.