Joe Hoover
Encyclopedia
Robert Joseph Hoover was a Major League Baseball
shortstop
who played for the Detroit Tigers
from 1941–1945. Born in Brawley, California
, played for the Hollywood Stars
in the Pacific Coast League
. On October 1, 1942, the Detroit Tigers
purhcased Hoover from the Stars after all three Detroit shortstops—Billy Hitchcock
, Johnny Lipon
, and Murray Franklin—were inuducted in the military during World War II. Hoover hit .243 with a .300 on base percentage in his three seasons with the Tigers. In 1943, he led the American League in outs with 478 and in sacrifice hits with 28. He was also second in the league with 101 strikeouts in 1943. Hoover's last Major League appearance came in Game 6 of the 1945 World Series. Hoover had a single in three World Series at bats. He also had an RBI and scored a run in an 8–7 loss to the Chicago Cubs
.
Hoover died in Los Angeles, California
in 1965 at age 50.
His World Series ring was stolen from his daughter's home in the late 1970s. It has not yet been returned to the family.
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...
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...
who played for 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...
from 1941–1945. Born in Brawley, California
Brawley, California
Brawley is a city in Imperial County, California, United States. Brawley is located north of El Centro. The population was 24,953 at the 2010 census, up from 22,052 at the 2000 census. The town has a significant cattle and feed industry, and hosts the annual Cattle Call Rodeo. Year-round...
, played for the Hollywood Stars
Hollywood Stars
The Hollywood Stars were a minor league baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League during the early and mid 20th century. They were the arch-rivals of the other Los Angeles based PCL team, the Los Angeles Angels.-Hollywood Stars :...
in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. On October 1, 1942, 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...
purhcased Hoover from the Stars after all three Detroit shortstops—Billy Hitchcock
Billy Hitchcock
William Clyde Hitchcock was an American infielder, coach, manager and scout in Major League Baseball. He also served as president of the class AA Southern League from 1971-80...
, Johnny Lipon
Johnny Lipon
John Joseph Lipon was an American Major League Baseball shortstop for the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Browns and Cincinnati Reds over the course of 12 seasons . He was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio....
, and Murray Franklin—were inuducted in the military during World War II. Hoover hit .243 with a .300 on base percentage in his three seasons with the Tigers. In 1943, he led the American League in outs with 478 and in sacrifice hits with 28. He was also second in the league with 101 strikeouts in 1943. Hoover's last Major League appearance came in Game 6 of the 1945 World Series. Hoover had a single in three World Series at bats. He also had an RBI and scored a run in an 8–7 loss 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...
.
Hoover died in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
in 1965 at age 50.
His World Series ring was stolen from his daughter's home in the late 1970s. It has not yet been returned to the family.