Billy Hunter (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Gordon William Hunter is a retired American
shortstop
, coach
and manager
in Major League Baseball
.
A slick-fielding, light-hitting shortstop from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
, the right-handed-batting Hunter was originally signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers
. With his path to the majors blocked by Pee Wee Reese
, he was sold to the St. Louis Browns
of the American League
on October 14, 1952, for $150,000 after leading the Texas League
in fielding and stolen bases. Hunter was the starting shortstop for the last Browns club in 1953 and the first modern MLB Orioles team when the Brownies transferred to Baltimore in 1954. For the remainder of his career, however, he was a second-string infielder for the New York Yankees
, Kansas City A's
and Cleveland Indians
. Hunter batted
.219 in 630 games over his six-year (1953–58) AL career.
When Hunter's playing career ended, he managed in the Baltimore farm system and became the Orioles' third-base coach in 1964. He performed that role for almost 14 seasons for four AL champions and two World Series
winners. He left the Orioles on June 28, 1977, to take the helm of the Texas Rangers
- the club's fourth skipper that season, although the list includes Eddie Stanky
, who signed to succeed Frank Lucchesi
but returned to retirement after one game, and Connie Ryan
, who managed three games in the interim between Stanky and Hunter. Under Hunter, the Rangers won 60 of their final 93 games and climbed from fourth to second place in the AL West. Hopes were high for 1978, but the Rangers finished tied for second, five games behind the division-leading Kansas City Royals
. During the season, Hunter had a confrontation with Dock Ellis on a team bus. Ellis was later quoted saying "Hunter "may be Hitler, but he ain't making no lampshade out of me." After turning down a five-year contract extension in midseason, offered by Rangers' young owner, Brad Corbett
, Hunter was fired with one day left in the campaign due to his poor relationship with his team. Hunter when asked if he was sorry he took the Manager's job, replied "yes".
Hunter's record over his one-and-a-half seasons was a stellar 146-108 (.575), but he never returned to the major leagues as a coach or manager though he claimed to have gotten a half dozen job offers in the winter of 1978. He became head baseball coach and athletic director at Maryland's Towson State University, retiring in 1995.
He was a 1996 honoree into the Orioles Hall of Fame, inducted with Jerry Hoffberger
and Cal Ripken, Sr.
These three men were so well thought of in Baltimore that a crowd of 400 showed up at the luncheon at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
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...
.
A slick-fielding, light-hitting shortstop from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Punxsutawney is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States, northeast of Pittsburgh. In 1907, Punxsutawney and Claysville boroughs were consolidated and incorporated as Greater Punxsutawney. A high-grade soft coal was mined in the surrounding region...
, the right-handed-batting Hunter was originally signed by the Brooklyn 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...
. With his path to the majors blocked by Pee Wee Reese
Pee Wee Reese
Harold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
, he was sold to 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...
of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
on October 14, 1952, for $150,000 after leading the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in fielding and stolen bases. Hunter was the starting shortstop for the last Browns club in 1953 and the first modern MLB Orioles team when the Brownies transferred to Baltimore in 1954. For the remainder of his career, however, he was a second-string infielder for 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...
, Kansas City A's
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. Hunter batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.219 in 630 games over his six-year (1953–58) AL career.
When Hunter's playing career ended, he managed in the Baltimore farm system and became the Orioles' third-base coach in 1964. He performed that role for almost 14 seasons for four AL champions and two World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
winners. He left the Orioles on June 28, 1977, to take the helm of the Texas Rangers
Texas 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...
- the club's fourth skipper that season, although the list includes Eddie Stanky
Eddie Stanky
Edward Raymond Stanky , nicknamed "The Brat", was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Boston Braves , New York Giants , and St. Louis Cardinals...
, who signed to succeed Frank Lucchesi
Frank Lucchesi
Frank Joseph Lucchesi is a former manager in Major League Baseball who ran the Philadelphia Phillies , Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs...
but returned to retirement after one game, and Connie Ryan
Connie Ryan
Cornelius Joseph Ryan was an American second baseman, third baseman, coach and manager in Major League Baseball....
, who managed three games in the interim between Stanky and Hunter. Under Hunter, the Rangers won 60 of their final 93 games and climbed from fourth to second place in the AL West. Hopes were high for 1978, but the Rangers finished tied for second, five games behind the division-leading Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. During the season, Hunter had a confrontation with Dock Ellis on a team bus. Ellis was later quoted saying "Hunter "may be Hitler, but he ain't making no lampshade out of me." After turning down a five-year contract extension in midseason, offered by Rangers' young owner, Brad Corbett
Brad Corbett
Bradford G. Corbett was the owner of the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball's American League from 1974 to 1980. He is currently part owner of S&B Technical Products, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Originally from Long Island, New York, Corbett had made a fortune in the oil business by...
, Hunter was fired with one day left in the campaign due to his poor relationship with his team. Hunter when asked if he was sorry he took the Manager's job, replied "yes".
Hunter's record over his one-and-a-half seasons was a stellar 146-108 (.575), but he never returned to the major leagues as a coach or manager though he claimed to have gotten a half dozen job offers in the winter of 1978. He became head baseball coach and athletic director at Maryland's Towson State University, retiring in 1995.
He was a 1996 honoree into the Orioles Hall of Fame, inducted with Jerry Hoffberger
Jerold Hoffberger
Jerold Charles 'Jerry' Hoffberger was an American businessman. He was president of the National Brewing Company from 1946 to 1973. He was also part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles of the American League from 1954 to 1965, and majority owner from 1965 to 1979.-Biography:Hoffberger was a lifelong...
and Cal Ripken, Sr.
Cal Ripken, Sr.
Calvin Edwin Ripken, Sr. was a coach and manager in Major League Baseball who spent 36 years in the Baltimore Orioles organization, also as a player and scout. He played in the Orioles' farm system beginning in 1957, and later served as manager of the parent club, on which his sons Cal Jr...
These three men were so well thought of in Baltimore that a crowd of 400 showed up at the luncheon at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel.