Books and articles about Billy Hoeft

Hoeft was a mainstay in the Tigers starting rotation in the 1950s, then embarked on a second career as an itinerant lefthanded reliever, changing teams six times between 1959 and 1966. He spent most of his rookie season in the Detroit bullpen, then struggled as a starter in 1953-54, winning only 16 games over the two seasons. In 1955 Hoeft was still only Detroit's third starter in terms of starts and innings, but he led the AL with seven shutouts on his way to a 16-7, 2.99 record and a spot on the AL All-Star team. In 1956 Hoeft became the first Tiger lefthander since Hal Newhouser to win 20 games, posting a 20-14(N-h)h)h)mark, but after mediocre seasons in 1957-58, Hoeft returned to the bullpen for the balance of his career.

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He was traded to the Red Sox for Ted Lepcio and Dave Sisler in May, 1959, then shipped to Baltimore for Jack Harshman six weeks later. Hoeft enjoyed his best seasons in relief with the Orioles, recording a 2.02 ERA in 1961 and four wins plus seven saves in 1962, then was traded to the Giants and later to the Braves, spending single seasons with each club. On July 14, 1957 Hoeft hit two of his three career home runs. (SCL)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » August 7, 1952: Umpire Bill McGowan is suspended indefinitely by the AL. In a game in St. Louis, McGowan had thrown out Tiger P Billy Hoeft, who had been heckling him from the dugout. When St. Louis writers, who had had a stormy relationship over the years with the veteran McGowan, ask him to identify the player, the umpire refuses, then adds an obscene gesture. The writers' complaint results in a suspension. » May 2, 1954: At Yankee Stadium, Detroit's Bill Hoeft pitches a 5-inning one hitter to win 4–0. A 5th inning double by Andy Carey is the only safety for the Yanks as rain shortens to contest. The Yanks take the opener, 12–4, scoring six runs in the 3rd inning. Allie Reynolds is the winner with six innings of relief. » May 27, 1955: At Detroit, Frank House's home run is the only score as Bill Hoeft beats the White Sox, 1–0. In the 9th, Bill Tuttle runs down a 415 ft. drive by Jim Rivera that Schoolboy Rowe calls "the greatest catch since White's robbery of Martin in the '34 Series." » June 20, 1956: At Detroit's Briggs Stadium, Mickey Mantle poles two Billy Hoeft pitches into the right CF bleachers, something no other player had done since the bleachers were built in the late 1930s. New York wins 4-1. » July 14, 1957: P Billy Hoeft of the Tigers hits two HRs and a single against the Orioles Skinny Brown, as Detroit wins 10-2. » June 13, 1958: At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle connects of Detroit lefty Billy Hoeft and the Yankees win, 4–2. » June 17, 1958: In his Briggs Stadium debut, Tigers 3B Ozzie Virgil goes 5-for-5 against Washington as Detroit wins 9–2. Frank Bolling adds four hits to back Billy Hoeft. » May 2, 1959: The Red Sox send P Dave Sisler and 2B Ted Lepcio to the Tigers for P Billy Hoeft, then trade Hoeft on June 15 to Baltimore for P Jack Harshman. Harshman will last a month before he's sold to the Indians. » April 10, 1962: At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Bill Skowron, the three Yankees who combined for 143 homers last season, hit Opening Day homers to lead New York to a come-from-behind 7–6 win over Baltimore. Moose's is a 2-run shot to dead center that he legs out for an inside-the -park homer, while Mantle hits his in the 8th inning to tie the game, Maris hits a 3-run shot in the 5th. Johnny Temple, in his first game for the O's, has three hits, including a home run. Starters Billy Hoeft and Whitey Ford are gone after six innings, and the win goes to Ralph Terry, while Skinny Brown takes the loss. » December 15, 1962: The San Francisco Giants trade pitchers Stu Miller and Mike McCormick, along with C Johnny Orsino, to Baltimore for pitchers Jack Fisher and Billy Hoeft, and C Jim Coker. » December 3, 1963: OF Felipe Alou, C Ed Bailey, P Billy Hoeft, and a player to be named are sent by the Giants to the Braves for C Del Crandall and pitchers Bob Shaw and Bob Hendley.