Major League Baseball Player. For fifteen seasons (1952 to 1966), he was a left-handed pitcher with the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Braves and Chicago Cubs. Born William Frederick Hoeft, he attended Oshkosh High School in Wisconsin where he lettered in baseball and basketball. He made his Major League debut with Detroit at the age of 19 on April 18, 1952, and appeared in 34 games that season. The following year, he secured a place in the Tigers' starting rotation, where he remained until 1958. In 1955, he recorded 16 wins and posted a 2.99 ERA, while leading the league in shutouts with 7, earning a spot on the American League All-Star Team that season. The following year, he notched a career-high 20 victories. After adjusting to the role of reliever, he finished in 3rd place among the American League leaders in appearances with 57 while with Baltimore in 1962. In 505 career games, he compiled a 97 win 101 loss record, with a 3.94 ERA, in 1,847 innings pitched. Following his baseball career, he sold printing equipment for over 30-years. He died from cancer.
Major League Baseball Player. For fifteen seasons (1952 to 1966), he was a left-handed pitcher with the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Braves and Chicago Cubs. Born William Frederick Hoeft, he attended Oshkosh High School in Wisconsin where he lettered in baseball and basketball. He made his Major League debut with Detroit at the age of 19 on April 18, 1952, and appeared in 34 games that season. The following year, he secured a place in the Tigers' starting rotation, where he remained until 1958. In 1955, he recorded 16 wins and posted a 2.99 ERA, while leading the league in shutouts with 7, earning a spot on the American League All-Star Team that season. The following year, he notched a career-high 20 victories. After adjusting to the role of reliever, he finished in 3rd place among the American League leaders in appearances with 57 while with Baltimore in 1962. In 505 career games, he compiled a 97 win 101 loss record, with a 3.94 ERA, in 1,847 innings pitched. Following his baseball career, he sold printing equipment for over 30-years. He died from cancer.
Bio by: C.S.
Family Members
Advertisement
