Tim Hosley
Encyclopedia
Timothy Kenneth Hosley is a former Major League Baseball
catcher who played parts of nine seasons in the majors between and . He played for the and World Series
champion Oakland Athletics
, though he was never on a postseason roster.
Hosley was originally signed by the Detroit Tigers
in , and made it to the majors with them for the first time in . He played in just 14 games for them over two seasons before being sold to the A's prior to the 1973 season. Again, though, Hosley's major league time was minimal, playing in 24 games over two seasons during the A's 1973 and '74 World Championship seasons. The A's were deep in catching during those seasons, often playing Gene Tenace
at first base.
After the 1974 season, Hosley was removed from the A's major league roster, and he was selected by the Chicago Cubs
in the Rule 5 Draft
. This led to Hosley's best showing in the majors in , when he batted .255 with 6 home runs in 62 games while splitting time behind the plate with Steve Swisher
and George Mitterwald
. Despite these hitting numbers, which were good for a catcher at the time, he was placed on waivers by the Cubs just a few games into the season, and he was claimed by Oakland.
His return to the A's was somewhat more successful than his first stay from the standpoint of playing time, but his batting numbers declined sharply, as he only hit for a .199 batting average over 79 games between 1976 and . He remained in the A's farm system until , when he was released on August 27 after one final stint at the major league level, during which he went just 2-for-21.
In , Tim Hosley played one more professional season for the Fort Myers Sun Sox
of the Senior Professional Baseball Association
.
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...
catcher who played parts of nine seasons in the majors between and . He played for the and 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...
champion Oakland Athletics
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....
, though he was never on a postseason roster.
Hosley was originally signed by 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...
in , and made it to the majors with them for the first time in . He played in just 14 games for them over two seasons before being sold to the A's prior to the 1973 season. Again, though, Hosley's major league time was minimal, playing in 24 games over two seasons during the A's 1973 and '74 World Championship seasons. The A's were deep in catching during those seasons, often playing Gene Tenace
Gene Tenace
Fury Gene Tenace , better known as Gene Tenace, is a former Italian-American professional baseball player and current coach in Major League Baseball. He was a catcher and first baseman from through . Tenace was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics from Valley High School in Lucasville, OH and...
at first base.
After the 1974 season, Hosley was removed from the A's major league roster, and he was selected by 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...
in the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. This led to Hosley's best showing in the majors in , when he batted .255 with 6 home runs in 62 games while splitting time behind the plate with Steve Swisher
Steve Swisher
Steven Eugene Swisher is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres from 1974 to 1982. Swisher was elected to the 1976 National League All-Star team with the Cubs but did not play in the game...
and George Mitterwald
George Mitterwald
George Eugene Mitterwald is a former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins, primarily as a catcher. His major league career lasted from 1966-77. His nickname was 'The Baron'.Following his retirement, he entered the minor league...
. Despite these hitting numbers, which were good for a catcher at the time, he was placed on waivers by the Cubs just a few games into the season, and he was claimed by Oakland.
His return to the A's was somewhat more successful than his first stay from the standpoint of playing time, but his batting numbers declined sharply, as he only hit for a .199 batting average over 79 games between 1976 and . He remained in the A's farm system until , when he was released on August 27 after one final stint at the major league level, during which he went just 2-for-21.
In , Tim Hosley played one more professional season for the Fort Myers Sun Sox
Fort Myers Sun Sox
The Fort Myers Sun Sox were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. The Sun Sox finished their inaugural season in second place in the Southern Division with a 37-35 record. Their offense was led by the league's top hitter, Tim...
of the Senior Professional Baseball Association
Senior Professional Baseball Association
The Senior Professional Baseball Association was a winter baseball league based in Florida for players age 35 and over . The league began play in 1989 and had eight teams in two divisions and a 72 game schedule...
.