William Hoover
Born: 4/12/1863 in Philadelphia, PA, USA
Died: 4/16/1924 in Jersey City, NJ, USA
MLB Debut: 1884-04-17 | Final Game: 1892-10-15
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 178 lbs
Full name: William James Hoover
Biography
William Hoover, born in 1863, was a professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1884 to 1892. Primarily recognized as a position player, Hoover participated in 127 games during his time in Major League Baseball. He accumulated 151 hits and demonstrated a solid batting average of .288, reflecting his ability to connect well with the ball in an era when offense was becoming increasingly important. Although he hit only one home run throughout his career, he was known for his speed on the bases, recording 16 stolen bases and contributing a total of 16 RBIs.
Playing in the late 19th century, Hoover's career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball history, marked by the transition from the deadball era to a more offensive-minded approach in the sport. His performance on the field showcased the evolving nature of baseball, emphasizing both skill and athleticism. Hoover's contributions to the game, while perhaps overshadowed by more prominent players of his time, reflect the dedication and talent that characterized the early days of professional baseball. He retired from the game on October 15, 1892, leaving behind a legacy as one of the many players who helped shape the sport's early narrative.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 127 | 525 | 114 | 151 | 23 | 14 | 1 | 16 | 16 | 37 | 13 | 0.288 | 0.337 | 0.390 | 0.727 | 1505.6 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 | PHI | NL | 10 | 42 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 0.190 | 0.0 |
| 1884 | PHU | UA | 63 | 275 | 76 | 100 | 20 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0.364 | 0.0 |
| 1886 | BL2 | AA | 40 | 157 | 25 | 34 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 0 | 0.217 | -104.5 |
| 1892 | CIN | NL | 14 | 51 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0.176 | -245.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 6 | 0 | 41 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| 2B | 6 | 0 | 24 | 13 | 8 | 2 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 101 | 0 | 158 | 20 | 34 | 4 |
| SS | 15 | 0 | 19 | 44 | 21 | 4 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 | PHI | OF | 10 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1884 | PHU | 1B | 6 | 0 | 41 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| 1884 | PHU | 2B | 6 | 0 | 24 | 13 | 8 | 2 |
| 1884 | PHU | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1884 | PHU | SS | 15 | 0 | 19 | 44 | 21 | 4 |
| 1884 | PHU | OF | 37 | 0 | 51 | 13 | 18 | 2 |
| 1886 | BL2 | OF | 40 | 0 | 70 | 3 | 14 | 0 |
| 1892 | CIN | OF | 14 | 0 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 6 |
| Second Base | 6 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Shortstop | 15 |
| Left Field | 55 |
| Center Field | 45 |
| Right Field | 2 |