Burt Hooton
Encyclopedia
Burt Carlton Hooton nicknamed "Happy" (by former manager Tommy Lasorda
, because he rarely ever smiled), is a coach and former right-handed starting pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. He won
151 games over a 15-year career, mostly with the Chicago Cubs
and Los Angeles Dodgers
.
Hooton's career began auspiciously with a no-hitter
in his fourth major league game for the Cubs, but he gained perhaps his widest recognition for his several playoff performances with the Dodgers. His only All-Star
appearance was in 1981, when he also was named the NLCS
Most Valuable Player
on the way to helping the Dodgers to a World Series
championship with four postseason wins
in five appearances.
He is currently the pitching coach of the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the AAA affiliate of the Houston Astros.
, where he posted a 35-3 record including two no-hitters. While at Texas, he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order
. Pitching for the Boulder, CO, Collegians in the summer of 1969, Burt started and won the 64th Midnight Sun Game, which was hosted by the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks.
15 batters in one of them. He was the third player to go straight to the Major Leagues after being drafted without spending a day in the minors. He began 1972 in outstanding fashion, pitching a 4-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies
at Wrigley Field
on April 16, the second day of the strike-delayed season. But he was unable to win consistently as the team's fortunes declined in the early 1970s, and he was traded to Los Angeles in May 1975 after compiling a 34-44 record with a steadily increasing earned run average
.
to become a valuable member of the pennant-winning teams of the next two years, leading the staff with 153 strikeouts in 1977 and with 19 wins and a 2.71 ERA in 1978. He finished second to Gaylord Perry
in the 1978 Cy Young Award
voting.
Hooton started Game 3 of the 1977 NLCS
against the Phillies, but was pulled after issuing three consecutive bases-loaded walks
in the second inning; the Dodgers came back to win 6-5. In the World Series
against the New York Yankees
, he pitched a 6-1 victory in Game 2, allowing only five singles and retiring 14 of the last 15 hitters to tie the Series at one game each. But in Game 6, he left in the fourth inning with the Dodgers behind 4-3 after giving up a 2-run home run
to Reggie Jackson
– Jackson's first of three in the game, all on the first pitch. The Yankees won 8-4, taking the Series in six games. The 1978 playoffs were rematches; in Game 1 of the NLCS
against the Phillies, Hooton left after allowing three runs in the fifth inning, although the Dodgers still led 7-4 and went on to win the game. In the Series rematch
with the Yankees he won Game 2, leaving in the seventh inning with a 4-2 lead as Los Angeles held on for a 4-3 win to take a 2-0 Series edge. But Game 5 was another crushing defeat as Hooton was yanked after allowing four runs in the third inning for a 4-2 Yankee lead, with New York romping to a 12-2 blowout and their third straight win. The Yankees won again two days later for their second consecutive title.
After solid but unspectacular years in 1979 and 1980, Hooton enjoyed an 11-6 campaign in the strike-shortened 1981 season, posting a career-best 2.28 ERA and being named to his only All-Star
team. He began the playoffs with a win against the Houston Astros
in Game 3 of the Division Series
, allowing only three hits
, including an Art Howe
solo homer, through seven innings. After the Dodgers won the series in five games, they went on to face the Montreal Expos
in the NLCS; Hooton won Game 1, allowing only six hits before leaving in the eighth inning with a 2-0 lead. Returning in Game 4 with the Dodgers behind two games to one, he allowed only five hits and one unearned run
before leaving in the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead; the Dodgers went on to a 7-1 win, and won Game 5 to advance to the World Series
, again meeting the Yankees. Hooton was named the NLCS MVP for his two wins and perfect 0.00 ERA. He started Game 2 of the World Series, but took a tough loss after leaving the game in the seventh inning, behind 1-0 on an unearned run; the Yankees went on to win 3-0 behind the pitching of his former Dodger teammate Tommy John
. But he came back with another strong outing in Game 6, leaving with an 8-1 lead in the sixth inning as the Dodgers won 9-2, taking their first World Series title since 1965. Because of his unassuming nature, broadcaster Vin Scully said that to celebrate, Hooten would probably go out and "paint the town beige."
Hooton remained with the Dodgers for three more years, but with a combined record of just 16-21; he spent most of 1984 in the bullpen.
after signing with them as a free agent, going 5-8.
team.
, and he was one of the few pitchers in MLB history to master this pitch.
Tommy Lasorda
Thomas Charles Lasorda is a former Major League baseball player and manager. marked his sixth decade in one capacity or another with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the longest non-continuous tenure anyone has had with the team, edging Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully...
, because he rarely ever smiled), is a coach and former right-handed 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 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...
. He won
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
151 games over a 15-year career, mostly with 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...
and Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
Hooton's career began auspiciously with a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
in his fourth major league game for the Cubs, but he gained perhaps his widest recognition for his several playoff performances with the Dodgers. His only All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
appearance was in 1981, when he also was named the NLCS
1981 National League Championship Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 13, 1981 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Dodgers took the first game of the series behind the strong pitching of starter Burt Hooton. For the first seven innings the game stayed close, with the only scoring coming in the second inning when the Dodgers got...
Most Valuable Player
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
on the way to helping the Dodgers to a World Series
1981 World Series
The 1981 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking their third meeting in the Series in five years as well as a record eleventh Series meeting overall and last Series meeting to date...
championship with four postseason wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
in five appearances.
He is currently the pitching coach of the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the AAA affiliate of the Houston Astros.
College
Hooton attended the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, where he posted a 35-3 record including two no-hitters. While at Texas, he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order is a social fraternity and fraternal order. Kappa Alpha Order has 124 active chapters, 3 provisional chapters, and 2 commissions...
. Pitching for the Boulder, CO, Collegians in the summer of 1969, Burt started and won the 64th Midnight Sun Game, which was hosted by the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks.
Chicago Cubs
After college, Hooton was selected by the Cubs with the second pick of the 1971 amateur draft. He made his major league debut with the team on June 17 of that year, but appeared in only three games before the end of the season, striking outStrikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
15 batters in one of them. He was the third player to go straight to the Major Leagues after being drafted without spending a day in the minors. He began 1972 in outstanding fashion, pitching a 4-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
on April 16, the second day of the strike-delayed season. But he was unable to win consistently as the team's fortunes declined in the early 1970s, and he was traded to Los Angeles in May 1975 after compiling a 34-44 record with a steadily increasing 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...
.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers were headed in the opposite direction from the Cubs, and Hooton was 18-7 with a 2.82 ERA over the remainder of the year, winning his last 12 decisions for a team record. After a disappointing 1976 season, he used his strong knuckle curveKnuckle curve
In Major League history, the term knuckle curve has been used to describe three entirely different pitches.The first, more common pitch called the knuckle curve is really a standard curveball, thrown with one or more of the index or mean fingers bent. According to practitioners, this gives them a...
to become a valuable member of the pennant-winning teams of the next two years, leading the staff with 153 strikeouts in 1977 and with 19 wins and a 2.71 ERA in 1978. He finished second to Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average...
in the 1978 Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
voting.
Hooton started Game 3 of the 1977 NLCS
1977 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 4, 1977 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Phillies took the opening game of the series, winning their first postseason game since Game 1 of the 1915 World Series...
against the Phillies, but was pulled after issuing three consecutive bases-loaded walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
in the second inning; the Dodgers came back to win 6-5. In the World Series
1977 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 1977 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe Dodgers drew first blood off Don Gullett in the first when Davey Lopes walked and scored on a Bill Russell triple. Ron Cey made it 2–0 on a sacrifice fly...
against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, he pitched a 6-1 victory in Game 2, allowing only five singles and retiring 14 of the last 15 hitters to tie the Series at one game each. But in Game 6, he left in the fourth inning with the Dodgers behind 4-3 after giving up a 2-run home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
to Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
– Jackson's first of three in the game, all on the first pitch. The Yankees won 8-4, taking the Series in six games. The 1978 playoffs were rematches; in Game 1 of the NLCS
1978 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 4, 1978 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaBecause of having to start an NL East-clinching game a few days earlier, Phillies ace Steve Carlton wasn't available for the start of the series, leaving the task to Larry Christenson...
against the Phillies, Hooton left after allowing three runs in the fifth inning, although the Dodgers still led 7-4 and went on to win the game. In the Series rematch
1978 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 10, 1978 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaWith Yankee ace Ron Guidry unavailable at least until Game 3, the Dodgers pounded twenty-game winner Ed Figueroa. Figueroa left after two innings, allowing home runs to Dusty Baker and Davey Lopes. Lopes would add a...
with the Yankees he won Game 2, leaving in the seventh inning with a 4-2 lead as Los Angeles held on for a 4-3 win to take a 2-0 Series edge. But Game 5 was another crushing defeat as Hooton was yanked after allowing four runs in the third inning for a 4-2 Yankee lead, with New York romping to a 12-2 blowout and their third straight win. The Yankees won again two days later for their second consecutive title.
After solid but unspectacular years in 1979 and 1980, Hooton enjoyed an 11-6 campaign in the strike-shortened 1981 season, posting a career-best 2.28 ERA and being named to his only All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team. He began the playoffs with a win against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in Game 3 of the Division Series
1981 National League Division Series
-Philadelphia Phillies vs. Montreal Expos:-Game 1, October 6:Astrodome in Houston, TexasFernando Valenzuela faced Nolan Ryan, a matchup worthy of a pitcher's duel. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth. Tony Scott singled home Terry Puhl to score the game's first run, but Steve...
, allowing only three hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, including an Art Howe
Art Howe
Arthur Henry Howe Jr. is a former Major League Baseball infielder, coach, scout and manager. He is an alumnus of the University of Wyoming...
solo homer, through seven innings. After the Dodgers won the series in five games, they went on to face the Montreal Expos
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
in the NLCS; Hooton won Game 1, allowing only six hits before leaving in the eighth inning with a 2-0 lead. Returning in Game 4 with the Dodgers behind two games to one, he allowed only five hits and one unearned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
before leaving in the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead; the Dodgers went on to a 7-1 win, and won Game 5 to advance to the World Series
1981 World Series
The 1981 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking their third meeting in the Series in five years as well as a record eleventh Series meeting overall and last Series meeting to date...
, again meeting the Yankees. Hooton was named the NLCS MVP for his two wins and perfect 0.00 ERA. He started Game 2 of the World Series, but took a tough loss after leaving the game in the seventh inning, behind 1-0 on an unearned run; the Yankees went on to win 3-0 behind the pitching of his former Dodger teammate Tommy John
Tommy John
Thomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...
. But he came back with another strong outing in Game 6, leaving with an 8-1 lead in the sixth inning as the Dodgers won 9-2, taking their first World Series title since 1965. Because of his unassuming nature, broadcaster Vin Scully said that to celebrate, Hooten would probably go out and "paint the town beige."
Hooton remained with the Dodgers for three more years, but with a combined record of just 16-21; he spent most of 1984 in the bullpen.
Texas Rangers
Hooton played his last season in 1985 for the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
after signing with them as a free agent, going 5-8.
After retirement
Hooton served as the pitching coach of the Astros from 2000 to 2004. He is currently the pitching coach for the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the Astros' top minor leagueMinor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team.
Pitching
Hooton's signature pitch was the knuckle curveKnuckle curve
In Major League history, the term knuckle curve has been used to describe three entirely different pitches.The first, more common pitch called the knuckle curve is really a standard curveball, thrown with one or more of the index or mean fingers bent. According to practitioners, this gives them a...
, and he was one of the few pitchers in MLB history to master this pitch.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- Players Never to Play Minor League Baseball
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
External links
- BaseballLibrary - career highlights