Billy Hoeft
Encyclopedia
William Frederick Hoeft was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
whose career spanned 15 seasons with the Detroit Tigers
, Boston Red Sox
, Baltimore Orioles
, Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs
and San Francisco Giants
. He was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
.
as an amateur free agent in 1950. He made his major league debut on April 18, 1952 for the Tigers, and went on to pitch seven full seasons in Detroit.
On September 7, 1953, Hoeft struck out three batters on nine pitches in the seventh inning of a 6-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. Hoeft became the fourth American League pitcher and the ninth pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning
.
On June 24, 1955, Hoeft surrendered the first home run in the career of Harmon Killebrew
, who would eventually hit 573 home runs in his career. He was chosen to be part of the American League All-Star squad in 1955 (in his only baseball all-star selection).
He was primarily used as a starting pitcher
in Detroit, starting in 176 games during his time there. His best season came in 1956, when he won 20 games and pitched 18 complete games.
for Dave Sisler
and Ted Lepcio
. He was the losing pitcher in three of his five appearances for Boston, and was dealt to Baltimore for Jack Harshman
after a little more than a month.
Hoeft remained in Baltimore through the 1962 season, where he was primarily used as a relief pitcher
, although he did start 16 games for the Orioles. During the 1961 season, Hoeft posted a career best Earned Run Average
of 2.02 in 12 starts and 23 relief appearances.
and Jack Fisher
to the San Francisco Giants
for Stu Miller
, Mike McCormick
and John Orsino
.
In 23 appearances for San Francisco during the 1963 season, Hoeft saved four games and posted an earned run average
of 4.44. After the season ended, he was dealt to the Milwaukee Braves, along with Felipe Alou, Ed Bailey
and a player to be named later for Del Crandall
, Bob Shaw
and Bob Hendley
. San Francisco ended up sending Ernie Bowman
to Milwaukee to complete the deal.
In Milwaukee, Hoeft put up slightly better numbers than he did in San Francisco, appearing in 42 games and posting an ERA of 3.80. He saved four games for the Braves in the 1964 season.
After the 1964 season, Hoeft entered free agency
, and was re-signed by his original team, the Detroit Tigers
. He was released during spring training for the 1965 season. Shortly afterwards, the Chicago Cubs
signed Hoeft to a contract for the 1965 season, where he posted an ERA of 2.81 in two starts and 29 appearances for the Cubs.
Hoeft's last season in Major League Baseball
was 1966, as he appeared in 36 games for the Cubs, before being released in August. In September, he was signed by the San Francisco Giants
once more, where he appeared in only four games. His ERA during his second stint in San Francisco was a career high 7.36.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
whose career spanned 15 seasons with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. He was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
.
Detroit Tigers (1952-1959)
Hoeft was signed by the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
as an amateur free agent in 1950. He made his major league debut on April 18, 1952 for the Tigers, and went on to pitch seven full seasons in Detroit.
On September 7, 1953, Hoeft struck out three batters on nine pitches in the seventh inning of a 6-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. Hoeft became the fourth American League pitcher and the ninth pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning
Pitchers who struck out three batters on nine pitches
In Major League Baseball, 43 pitchers have thrown a nine-pitch, three-strikeout half-inning, throwing nothing but strikes...
.
On June 24, 1955, Hoeft surrendered the first home run in the career of Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Clayton Killebrew , nicknamed "Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. During his 22-year career in Major League Baseball , he played for the Washington Senators, a team which later became the Minnesota Twins, and...
, who would eventually hit 573 home runs in his career. He was chosen to be part of the American League All-Star squad in 1955 (in his only baseball all-star selection).
He was primarily used as a starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in Detroit, starting in 176 games during his time there. His best season came in 1956, when he won 20 games and pitched 18 complete games.
Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles (1959-1962)
In May 1959, Hoeft was dealt to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for Dave Sisler
Dave Sisler
David Michael Sisler was a professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from through . Early in his career, Sisler was a starter, then later was used as a middle reliever and occasionally as a closer...
and Ted Lepcio
Ted Lepcio
Thaddeus Stanley Lepcio is an American former Major League Baseball utility infielder.Lepcio attended Seton Hall University. A one-time semiprofessional baseball player in Oneida, New York, he was signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent in...
. He was the losing pitcher in three of his five appearances for Boston, and was dealt to Baltimore for Jack Harshman
Jack Harshman
John Elvin Harshman , is a former professional baseball pitcher who played from 1945 through 1960. He played for the New York Giants, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Indians....
after a little more than a month.
Hoeft remained in Baltimore through the 1962 season, where he was primarily used as a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, although he did start 16 games for the Orioles. During the 1961 season, Hoeft posted a career best Earned Run Average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 2.02 in 12 starts and 23 relief appearances.
San Francisco, Milwaukee and Chicago (1963-1966)
After the 1962 season, Baltimore traded Hoeft, as well as Jimmie CokerJimmie Coker
Jimmie Goodwin Coker was a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds ....
and Jack Fisher
Jack Fisher
John Howard Fisher was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent on June 24, 1957. He played for the Orioles , San Francisco Giants , New York Mets , Chicago White Sox , and Cincinnati Reds...
to the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for Stu Miller
Stu Miller
Stuart Leonard Miller , is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , New York & San Francisco Giants , Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves...
, Mike McCormick
Mike McCormick (pitcher)
Michael Francis McCormick is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the New York Giants from 1956 to 1958, then the San Francisco Giants from 1958 to 1970...
and John Orsino
John Orsino
John Joseph Orsino is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He was signed by the New York Giants as an amateur free agent before the 1957 season, and played for the San Francisco Giants , Baltimore Orioles , and Washington Senators .Orsino made his major league debut on July 14, 1961 against the...
.
In 23 appearances for San Francisco during the 1963 season, Hoeft saved four games and posted an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 4.44. After the season ended, he was dealt to the Milwaukee Braves, along with Felipe Alou, Ed Bailey
Ed Bailey
Lonas Edgar Bailey, Jr. was an American professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from through . Bailey batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee...
and a player to be named later for Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
, Bob Shaw
Bob Shaw
Bob Shaw, born Robert Shaw, was a science fiction author and fan from Northern Ireland. He was noted for his originality and wit. He won the Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer in 1979 and 1980...
and Bob Hendley
Bob Hendley
Charles Robert Hendley is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Born in Macon, Georgia, Hendley was signed by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1958. After the 1963 season, Hendley was traded to the San Francisco Giants in a six-player deal; one of the three players the Braves...
. San Francisco ended up sending Ernie Bowman
Ernie Bowman
Ernest Ferrell Bowman is a former Major League Baseball infielder. Bowman played for the San Francisco Giants from to . He batted and threw right-handed....
to Milwaukee to complete the deal.
In Milwaukee, Hoeft put up slightly better numbers than he did in San Francisco, appearing in 42 games and posting an ERA of 3.80. He saved four games for the Braves in the 1964 season.
After the 1964 season, Hoeft entered free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
, and was re-signed by his original team, the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. He was released during spring training for the 1965 season. Shortly afterwards, the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
signed Hoeft to a contract for the 1965 season, where he posted an ERA of 2.81 in two starts and 29 appearances for the Cubs.
Hoeft's last season in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
was 1966, as he appeared in 36 games for the Cubs, before being released in August. In September, he was signed by the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
once more, where he appeared in only four games. His ERA during his second stint in San Francisco was a career high 7.36.