#551 Billy Hoeft

Another from the difficult high series. This card has soft-ish corners and a small crease in the upper left. Probably would grade in the VG-EX range because is has a nice surface and good centering. SMR on a NM example is $15.

This is Hoeft’s only card depicting him in a Braves uniform. He was traded by the Giants, along with Felipe Alou, Ed Bailey, and Ernie Bowman, to the Braves for Del Crandall, Bob Hendley, and Bob Shaw in December of 1963.

Hoeft was a capable but unspectacular left-hander who pitched 15 seasons. He was an all-star in 1955 when he went 16-7 with a 2.99 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and allowed just 7.7 H/9 with the Tigers. He won 20 games the next year, but his pitching numbers weren’t nearly as good. His biggest claim to fame is being one of 38 pitchers in MLB to strike out the side on nine pitches in an inning.

Billy threw 73.1 innings in 1964 with Milwaukee and posted a 3.80 ERA. He was released following the season, then signed and released by the Tigers before settling in with the Cubs in 1965.