Chet Hoff
Encyclopedia
Chester Cornelius Hoff was an American
left-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
.
, he pitched for the New York Highlanders
(renamed the Yankees in 1913) from 1911–1913 and for the St. Louis Browns
in 1915.
Hoff made his major league debut on September 6, 1911. Pitching against the Detroit Tigers
, he struck out the first batter he faced, Ty Cobb
. In later years, Chet recalled that this was the highlight of his career.
Although he only appeared in 23 games and amassed a record of just 2 wins
and 4 losses, Hoff is best remembered for being the oldest living ex-major leaguer at the time of his death in Daytona Beach, Florida
at age 107. He was the longest-lived former professional athlete ever. This record may have been broken by negro-leaguer Silas Simmons
(who is believed to have been 109 or possibly 111 at his death), but Hoff remains the longest-lived person to have played in Major League Baseball. Hoff died of complications resulting from an accidental fall.
He was the last surviving player at the time of his death to have played during the dead-ball era
; the historically low-scoring period of Major League Baseball prior to 1920.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
left-handed pitcher
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...
.
Biography
Born in Ossining, New YorkOssining (village), New York
Ossining is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 25,060 at the 2010 census. As a village, it is located in the Town of Ossining.-Geography:Ossining borders the eastern shores of the widest part of the Hudson River....
, he pitched for the New York Highlanders
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...
(renamed the Yankees in 1913) from 1911–1913 and for the St. Louis Browns
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...
in 1915.
Hoff made his major league debut on September 6, 1911. Pitching against 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 struck out the first batter he faced, Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
. In later years, Chet recalled that this was the highlight of his career.
Although he only appeared in 23 games and amassed a record of just 2 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...
and 4 losses, Hoff is best remembered for being the oldest living ex-major leaguer at the time of his death in Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
at age 107. He was the longest-lived former professional athlete ever. This record may have been broken by negro-leaguer Silas Simmons
Silas Simmons
Silas Joseph "Si" Simmons was an American semi-professional and professional baseball player for African-American teams in the pre-Negro League era, and became the longest-lived professional baseball player in history. The previous record was held by Chet Hoff, who died at age 107 in...
(who is believed to have been 109 or possibly 111 at his death), but Hoff remains the longest-lived person to have played in Major League Baseball. Hoff died of complications resulting from an accidental fall.
He was the last surviving player at the time of his death to have played during the dead-ball era
Dead-ball era
The dead-ball era is a baseball term used to describe the period between 1900 and the emergence of Babe Ruth as a power hitter in 1919. In 1919, Ruth hit a then league record 29 home runs, a spectacular feat at that time.This era was characterized by low-scoring games and a lack of home runs...
; the historically low-scoring period of Major League Baseball prior to 1920.