Evening star., 1953-07-31

Billy was only 18 years DID, not only Tigers winter
Florida by the resemblance to New
Many thought they looking the veteran
left handler others certain the younger must be
Halls kid brother at least He's got long to go before
he matches Newhousers record but the Tigers glad to
have him and Manager Freddie Hutchinson rates him
Deroi best pitcher which his 1858 performances strongly
suggest, too.
WHEN HOEFT WAS TAKEN to Florida in 1851 it
not for immediate major league service because the
had only pitched part of professionally and
that for Richmond in the Glass OhoIndiana League
He 10 and lost and the Tigers eager to look
him that timetable Billy moved up, although
he predestined to be farmed out. = "
One day Rick Ferren and Charlie Keller, two Of the
Detroit coaches sitting in front of their Lakeland hotel
and Rick saying "FIes only baby but he can't miss
Isn't that right, Charie?"
And the former Yankee sugger nodded gravey and sad
"Ie can't miss Maybe he doesn't throw hard New
houser used to throw but he's got better control Any time
you find 18year-old who strikes out batters than
he walks you've got to like him. Well Hoett struck out 22
and walked only "a in those II games he pitched"
"He make it some day" Ferrell predicted "and Mr.
George Moriary can start taking bows right now DID we
forget to mention that of his onehtter and
that he pitched two-hitter as weI?"
THE CELEBRATED WISH EGAN alive at that time
and of Detroi bestknown scout But Morarty
who played the Tigers succeeded Ty Cobb
their manager and later became umpire scouting for
his alma mater too and doing all right. George signed
grabbed shortstop Harvey Kuenn right off
the University of Wisconsin Only recently he picked
Pitcher Bob Miller fresh out of high school, although he
All Is major league clubs after Hoeft but Morarty
the the Tigers fortunate in that they did
have to bonus Billy The old bonus rule which meant
Hoeft would have stay with the parent club was in effect
then and costly to Billy of eight children OF an
Oshkosh hodcarrier AS he explained it, however Il was
afraid to ask for bonus wasn't ready to pitch Tor the
Tigers if fell in the bonus category it would mean
sitting the bench for long time and missing that minor
league experience"
The Hoef began when he pitched for Oshkosh
School senior he 81 and lost l. Perhaps
his best performance which is undertaking it, was against
Hartford is) High which had the State champion
ship for five straight years 1t is doubtful II more perfect
game ever was pitched.
HoEFT NOT ONLY shut the champions but he threw
hitter. only threw no-hter, but not single
reached only didn't permit man to get
but nobody hit the ball. at least not fair He tanned
all 27 bates 6 going down swinging and nine called thlro
strikes Only 108 pitches required and just nine were
fouled When he graduated he pitched American Legion
ball. compiling 267 record with his left hand and oeaung
of ig-eague scouts with the other.
only time he in real trouble On Richmond
when rackng up that 10- record off the field
There little year-od do in small town when he
player except shoot off hrecrackers the Fourth
July Where Hoeft made his mistake the story is told
that in tossing the noisy sticks toward passing auto
mobiles notice that painted the side OF one
vehicle police"
It was nothing serious and 1851 Billy pitching for
Toledo (trple- and last year the Tigers rookie
still tanning walked and learning, as every
youngster that bgeague htter much harder to
fool They he's the road to success though despite
that batterng he took from the Mats 1t happens TO re
best although much frequently to the worst hgnC
now Hoeft would seem to be somewhere in between