Don Hoak Stats & Facts

Don Hoak Stats & Facts

Don Hoak Positions: 3B, 2B, SS Bats: Right Throws: Right Height: 6-1 Weight: 170 Born: Sunday, February 05, 1928 in Roulette, PA USA Died: October 9, 1969 in Pittsburgh, PA USA Debut: April 18, 1954 Last Game: May 12, 1964 Full Name: Donald Albert Hoak Nine Players Who Debuted in 1954 Hank Aaron Harmon Killebrew Bill…

Dick Groat of the Pittsburgh Pirates is named the 1960 National League’s Most Valuable Player

Dick Groat of the Pittsburgh Pirates is named the 1960 National League’s Most Valuable Player

Dick Groat, the Pirates 30 year-old shortstop who led the league with a .325 average, is selected as the National League’s Most Valuable Player, with Don Hoak, his partner on the left side of the Bucs’ infield, being the runner-up to the award. Another teammate, right-fielder Roberto Clemente, who will cop the award in 1966, is very disappointed with being named eighth on the ballot.

In a game described by Pirate shortstop Dick Groat as “the greatest I ever played in,” Pirates win 1-0 over the Giants.

In a game described by Pirate shortstop Dick Groat as “the greatest I ever played in,” and by veteran Forbes Field observer Les Biederman as “probably the most thrilling spectacle ever witnessed by the greater portion of the 33,304 wild-eyed fans,” the World Series-bound Bucs buttress their 1st-place margin over Milwaukee by pulling out a 1 – 0 win over the 5th-place Giants. The game’s only run comes in the 8th inning, with Pirate centerfielder Bill Virdon scoring from first on an errant throw by pitcher Sam Jones. But it’s the non-scoring plays that are most spectacular: for the Giants, Willie Mays nips a 7th-inning Bucs uprising in the bud with a brilliant throw to cut down Don Hoak going first to third. However, it’s the Pirates’ Vinegar Bend Mizell who’s the chief beneficiary of this game’s defensive prowess: the “Say Hey Kid” himself is robbed of a sure extra-base hit by Roberto Clemente in a terrifying catch and crash that knocks the Pirates’ right fielder out of the game and out of the lineup for a week as he smashes face-on into the concrete base of the right-centerfield stands, at the 395-foot mark, and collapses on the dirt warning track. Five stitches are required to close a laceration on his chin, and his left knee is sorely damaged. An inning before that, Virdon made a tremendous running grab of Felipe Alou’s bomb to the distant left center light tower, and, in the 8th, Virdon makes what Biederman will describe as “the play of the season,” coming close to making a leaping grab of Andre Rodgers’ drive to the 406-foot mark in left center, then recovering almost instantly to make a strong, accurate throw to 3B Hoak. Out by a mile is Rodgers, making an ill-advised, two-out try for third.

Pittsburgh Pirates acquire pitcher Harvey Haddix

Pittsburgh Pirates acquire pitcher Harvey Haddix

On January 30, 1959, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquire pitcher Harvey Haddix, catcher Smoky Burgess, and infielder Don Hoak (photo)from the Cincinnati Reds for third baseman Frank Thomas, infielder-outfielder Jim Pendleton, outfielder Johnny Powers and pitcher Charles “Whammy” Douglas-cash. The deal will turn out to be one on the worst in Cincinnati history. Frank Thomas (no,…

major leagues adopt a new rule that prohibits baserunners from interfering with batted balls in the field of play

major leagues adopt a new rule that prohibits baserunners from interfering with batted balls in the field of play

On April 25, 1957, the major leagues adopt a new rule that prohibits baserunners from interfering with batted balls in the field of play. The rule is adopted in reaction to recent actions by several Cincinnati Reds baserunners. Earlier in the week, Don Hoak and Johnny Temple had intentionally interfered with batted balls as a way of preventing double plays.

Hoak sparks new rules about interferance

Hoak sparks new rules about interferance

On April 21, 1957, Don Hoak of the Cincinnati Red Legs unwittingly brings about a change in the rules. Leading off second base, Hoak intentionally interferes with an apparent double play grounder. Hoak is called out, but the batter is safe. A new rule will result: if a runner willfully interferes with a batted ball, both the runner and the batter will be called out.

At Wrigley Field, the New York Giants (25) and Chicago Cubs (23) set a major league record with 48 players on the field in a 17-inning marathon

At Wrigley Field, the New York Giants (25) and Chicago Cubs (23) set a major league record with 48 players on the field in a 17-inning marathon

At Wrigley Field, the New York Giants (25) and Chicago Cubs (23) set a major league record with 48 players on the field in a 17-inning marathon finally won by the visiting Giants, 6 – 5. The two teams combine to intentionally walk 11 batters, also a record, with the Cubs contributing seven of the free passes. Losing pitcher Jim Brosnan chips in with four walks, all intentional. Cubs third baseman Don Hoak is not one of the strollers, as he sets a National League record with six strikeouts, all against different pitchers, while Ernie Banks, Willie Mays and Wes Westrum are twice walked intentionally. Whitey Lockman starts in left field, switches to first base, returns to LF, and finishes at 1B. Ex-Giant Monte Irvinis 0 for 5 against five pitchers. The game is six minutes shy of the 5:19 record set by the Dodgers-Bees in 20 innings in 1940.