Dave Hostetler
Encyclopedia
David Alan Hostetler is a retired first baseman
/designated hitter
who played for the Montreal Expos
, Texas Rangers
, and Pittsburgh Pirates
. As of November 2007, he is the National Coordinator of Baseball Sales for equipment company Riddell http://www.buyersguideforbaseballcoaches.com/company.php?id=122&company=Riddell and an ambassador to youth players.
out of junior college but did not sign. In 1976, he was again drafted by San Francisco and didn't sign. He was taken in the second phase of the draft by the Cleveland Indians
but returned to school again. In 1977, the Giants drafted him for a third time with no success.
He was a big star at the University of Southern California
, where he was one of the key players on the team that won the 1978 College World Series
, along with Dave Engle
, Dave Van Gorder
, and Tim Tolman
. Hostetler hit a home run in the championship game against Arizona State University
.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 1978 Major League Baseball Draft
by the Montréal Expos
, he finally signed a deal. He debuted that year with the West Palm Beach Expos, hitting .269/~.361/.378.
In 1979, Hostetler spent his first full pro season with the Memphis Chicks
, hitting .270/~.359/.445 with 20 homers, 114 RBI and 110 strikeouts. He tied for sixth in the Southern League
in home runs, drove in the most and drew a league-high 14 intentional walks. He made the SL All-Star team at DH and drove in 19 more than runner-up Paul Householder.
, Randy Bass
, and Tim Wallach
. Hostetler was the regular first baseman (Bass DH'ed) and hit .269/~.345/.371, with only 9 home runs and 58 RBI in a very hitter-friendly environment. He was the only member of the infield not to make the American Association
All-Star team as Raines (2B), Wallach (3B) and Jerry Manuel
(SS) were all selected.
While Denver was not as good in 1981, Hostetler was far better, hitting .318 with 27 HR and 103 RBI. His homer total was more than Nick Esasky
and Ryne Sandberg
combined in the 1981 American Association, and he was only one home run behind league leader George Bjorkman
. Only teammate Dan Briggs
, with 110 RBI, drove in more. Hostetler was the A.A. All-Star first baseman that year. Getting his first major league playing time, he went 3 for 6 with a homer for the 1981 Expos. All of his hits came in the Expos' last regular-season game, on October 4 in New York, after the team had clinched the second-half title (Boxscore). His monster home run off Pete Falcone
was the team's only run in a 2-1 loss in which Montreal fielded a AAA line-up after the first few innings.
in 1982, as their primary first baseman, but he struck out 113 times in 418 at-bats and saw his playing time dwindle after that. He led the team in home runs in spite of not playing his first game until May 29, giving Ranger fans hopes that he would become a huge power threat. However, he was replaced at 1B by rookie Pete O'Brien
in 1983, and did not last long at DH as his power faded away, with only 11 home runs in 94 games while his strikeout rate went from bad to awful. Texas Ranger fans had hoped he might someday be as good as Dave Kingman
, but Hostetler never had much success in the Major Leagues. He had been acquired in 1982, along with Larry Parrish
, in a spring training trade with the Montreal Expos for Al Oliver
, who subsequently went on to tear up the National League. At least Texas fans were able to see Parrish be productive for several seasons in Arlington. Hostetler's strong start and quick fade were much like Kevin Maas
's efforts with the New York Yankees
in 1990.
. He began the 1985 season with the Indianapolis Indians
, but was sold to the Chicago Cubs
on May 12 and assigned to the Iowa Cubs
. Overall that year, he hit .256/~.332/.490 with 29 HR in 132 games. He led the A.A. in home runs plus topped the league with 89 RBI, and made the All-Star team as the DH.
in 1986 and 1987. The first year he hit .285/.346/.480 with 25 home runs, and in 1987 he hit .251/.332/.417 with 17 home runs.
and played six games with them in 1988. He spent most of the 1988 season with the second minor league team to draw a million fans, the Buffalo Bisons
of the American Association, hitting .187/~.280/.311 in 84 games. He spent his time there mostly warming the bench behind Randy Milligan
and Orestes Destrade
, playing only 14 games at first base. Most of his starts came at DH.
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
/designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
who played for 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...
, 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...
, and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. As of November 2007, he is the National Coordinator of Baseball Sales for equipment company Riddell http://www.buyersguideforbaseballcoaches.com/company.php?id=122&company=Riddell and an ambassador to youth players.
Collegiate and early minor league career
Hostetler was drafted in the 4th round of the 1975 amateur draft by the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
out of junior college but did not sign. In 1976, he was again drafted by San Francisco and didn't sign. He was taken in the second phase of the draft by the 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...
but returned to school again. In 1977, the Giants drafted him for a third time with no success.
He was a big star at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, where he was one of the key players on the team that won the 1978 College World Series
1978 College World Series
The 1978 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 2 to June 8. The thirty-second tournament's champion was the University of Southern California, coached by Rod Dedeaux...
, along with Dave Engle
Dave Engle
Ralph David Engle is a former Major League Baseball utility player who played for the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers all of the American League and the Montreal Expos of the National League from 1981 to 1989.-Pro career:A graduate of the University of Southern California,...
, Dave Van Gorder
Dave Van Gorder
David Thomas Van Gorder is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. He played during five seasons at the major league level for the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles. He was drafted by the Reds in the 2nd round of the 1978 amateur draft...
, and Tim Tolman
Tim Tolman
Timothy Lee Tolman is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.Tolman played his college baseball at the University of Southern California and was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 1978 amateur draft...
. Hostetler hit a home run in the championship game against Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 1978 Major League Baseball Draft
1978 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta...
by the Montréal 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...
, he finally signed a deal. He debuted that year with the West Palm Beach Expos, hitting .269/~.361/.378.
In 1979, Hostetler spent his first full pro season with the Memphis Chicks
Memphis Chicks
The Memphis Chicks were an American minor league baseball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Chicks were charter members of the Southern Association from 1901 until November 18, 1960, when the club folded and was transferred to Macon, Georgia for 1961.The Chicks suffered a...
, hitting .270/~.359/.445 with 20 homers, 114 RBI and 110 strikeouts. He tied for sixth in the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
in home runs, drove in the most and drew a league-high 14 intentional walks. He made the SL All-Star team at DH and drove in 19 more than runner-up Paul Householder.
Denver Bears
In 1980, he played on one of the truly great minor league teams, the Denver Bears, who won over two-thirds of their games. The other stars on his team that year were Tim RainesTim Raines
Timothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
, Randy Bass
Randy Bass
is a former American baseball player and current politician. He is less notable for his career in Major League Baseball than for his success in Japan's Hanshin Tigers of Central League, where he had the most spectacular run of any American to ever play in Japan...
, and Tim Wallach
Tim Wallach
Timothy Charles Wallach , nicknamed "Eli" in reference to actor Eli Wallach, is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels. He won three Gold Glove awards for defensive excellence and 2 Silver Slugger...
. Hostetler was the regular first baseman (Bass DH'ed) and hit .269/~.345/.371, with only 9 home runs and 58 RBI in a very hitter-friendly environment. He was the only member of the infield not to make the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
All-Star team as Raines (2B), Wallach (3B) and Jerry Manuel
Jerry Manuel
Jerry Manuel , nicknamed "The Sage" is a former major league manager. He previously managed the Chicago White Sox from 1998 to 2003 and the New York Mets from the middle of 2008 to 2010 and played in the majors for parts of five seasons in the 1970s and early 1980s.-Playing career:Manuel played...
(SS) were all selected.
While Denver was not as good in 1981, Hostetler was far better, hitting .318 with 27 HR and 103 RBI. His homer total was more than Nick Esasky
Nick Esasky
Nicholas Andrew Esasky , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman. During his career, which spanned just over seven-and-a-half years and was spent mostly with the Cincinnati Reds , the former first-round draft pick in 1978 hit .250 with 122 home runs and 427 runs batted...
and Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Dee Sandberg , nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During a 16-year baseball career, he played from 1981–1994 and 1996–97, spending nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best...
combined in the 1981 American Association, and he was only one home run behind league leader George Bjorkman
George Bjorkman
George Bjorkman was a professional baseball player with the Houston Astros in 1983. His only baseball card appeared in the 1984 Topps set.-External links:...
. Only teammate Dan Briggs
Dan Briggs (baseball)
Dan Lee Briggs is a retired professional baseball player who played 7 seasons for the California Angels, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos, and Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. He also played one season and part of another in Japan with the Yakult Swallows.-External links:...
, with 110 RBI, drove in more. Hostetler was the A.A. All-Star first baseman that year. Getting his first major league playing time, he went 3 for 6 with a homer for the 1981 Expos. All of his hits came in the Expos' last regular-season game, on October 4 in New York, after the team had clinched the second-half title (Boxscore). His monster home run off Pete Falcone
Pete Falcone
Peter Frank "Pete" Falcone , is a left-handed former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1975–84.-High school and college:...
was the team's only run in a 2-1 loss in which Montreal fielded a AAA line-up after the first few innings.
Texas Rangers
He was a .232 hitter, with 22 HR and 67 RBI 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...
in 1982, as their primary first baseman, but he struck out 113 times in 418 at-bats and saw his playing time dwindle after that. He led the team in home runs in spite of not playing his first game until May 29, giving Ranger fans hopes that he would become a huge power threat. However, he was replaced at 1B by rookie Pete O'Brien
Pete O'Brien (first baseman)
Peter Michael O'Brien is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners...
in 1983, and did not last long at DH as his power faded away, with only 11 home runs in 94 games while his strikeout rate went from bad to awful. Texas Ranger fans had hoped he might someday be as good as Dave Kingman
Dave Kingman
David Arthur Kingman , nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. The towering 6' 6" Kingman was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s...
, but Hostetler never had much success in the Major Leagues. He had been acquired in 1982, along with Larry Parrish
Larry Parrish
Larry Alton Parrish is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played with the Montreal Expos , Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox...
, in a spring training trade with the Montreal Expos for Al Oliver
Al Oliver
Albert Oliver, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. Over the course of his 18-year career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , Montreal Expos , San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays...
, who subsequently went on to tear up the National League. At least Texas fans were able to see Parrish be productive for several seasons in Arlington. Hostetler's strong start and quick fade were much like Kevin Maas
Kevin Maas
Kevin Christian Maas is a former Major League Baseball player. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 22nd round of the 1986 draft after attending the University Of California. He made his major league debut for Yankees on June 29, 1990 when they called him up from the Columbus Clippers...
's efforts with 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...
in 1990.
Back to the American Association
In 1984, Hostetler returned to the American Association with the Oklahoma City 89ers, hitting .304 with 11 homers. He was then traded back to Montreal in exchange for Chris WelshChris Welsh
Christopher Charles Welsh is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and a current sportscaster for the Cincinnati Reds. He was a left-hander with a career ERA of 4.45 and career win/loss record of 22-31. He graduated from St...
. He began the 1985 season with the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
, but was sold to 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...
on May 12 and assigned to the Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
. Overall that year, he hit .256/~.332/.490 with 29 HR in 132 games. He led the A.A. in home runs plus topped the league with 89 RBI, and made the All-Star team as the DH.
Nankai Hawks
Hostetler also spent time playing baseball in Japan, appearing with the Nankai Hawks of the Pacific LeaguePacific League
The or is one of the two professional baseball leagues constituting Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship competes against the winner in the Central League for the annual Japan Series...
in 1986 and 1987. The first year he hit .285/.346/.480 with 25 home runs, and in 1987 he hit .251/.332/.417 with 17 home runs.
At the end of the road
Coming back to the USA, he signed with the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and played six games with them in 1988. He spent most of the 1988 season with the second minor league team to draw a million fans, the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
of the American Association, hitting .187/~.280/.311 in 84 games. He spent his time there mostly warming the bench behind Randy Milligan
Randy Milligan
Randall Andre Milligan is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1987-1994. He is currently a scout with the Baltimore Orioles. Milligan is nicknamed "Moose".-External links:...
and Orestes Destrade
Orestes Destrade
Orestes Cucuas Destrade , is a former Major League Baseball infielder.-Biography:Destrade was born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, but emigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six. During his youth, he played Khoury League at Flagami Park in Miami. He graduated from Christopher...
, playing only 14 games at first base. Most of his starts came at DH.