Don Hoak: The Forgotten Baseball Legend

Don Hoak was a star third baseman in the 1950s and 1960s. He was a five-time All-Star and won two World Series titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates. But despite his accomplishments, Hoak is often forgotten when people think of baseball’s greats. Learn more about this forgotten baseball legend.

Early Life and Career

Don Hoak was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on August 5, 1931. He played baseball and basketball in high school, and was offered a basketball scholarship to West Virginia University. However, he decided to pursue a career in baseball, and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1949. He played minor league baseball for several years before making his Major League debut in 1955.

Born in New Castle, Pennsylvania

Don Hoak was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on November 16, 1931. He was the youngest of three children. His father worked in a local steel mill. Hoak played baseball and football in high school and was offered a football scholarship to West Virginia University. After two years at West Virginia, he transferred to Wake Forest University, where he played both baseball and football.

Played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds

Don Hoak was born in Roulette, Pennsylvania, on December 21, 1929. He played baseball and football in high school before being signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1947. Hoak made his major league debut with the Pirates in 1953 and played for them until 1955. He was then traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he played for two seasons. In 1958, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, where he played for the rest of his career. Hoak retired from baseball in 1969.

Batted .290 with 138 home runs and 674 RBIs

Born in Berkeley, California, on October 15, 1930, Don Hoak was just another blue-collar kid trying to make good in the big city. His father worked as a machinist in a local factory and his mother was a homemaker. As a youngster, Hoak excelled at both baseball and basketball. After graduating from Berkeley High School, he attended the University of California at Berkeley on a basketball scholarship. He played both sports for the Golden Bears, but it was baseball that would ultimately provide him with his ticket to the major leagues.

In 1950, Hoak signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a $5,000 bonus. He made his professional debut that season with the Albany Senators of the Eastern League. A steady performer at the plate and in the field, Hoak steadily made his way through the Pirates’ farm system. He made his major league debut with Pittsburgh in 1953 and quickly established himself as one of the team’s best players.

Over the next decade, Hoak became one of baseball’s most feared hitters. He batted .290 with 138 home runs and 674 RBIs while playing solid defense at third base. An All-Star in 1959, he helped lead the Pirates to National League pennants in 1960 and 1971. After spending 14 years with Pittsburgh, Hoak was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1967. He finished his career with stops in Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Chicago before retiring in 1971.

Don Hoak passed away on January 7, 2005, at his home in San Diego, California. He was survived by his wife Mary and their four children: Donna Jeanette (Hoak) Blohm; Daniel Joseph; David Jay; and Douglas Wade Hoak.

Traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates

Don Hoak was a third baseman who was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1950 MLB draft. He played for the Pirates from 1953 to 1955. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1956.

Batted .333 with 16 home runs and 70 RBIs

In his only season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Don Hoak batted .333 with 16 home runs and 70 RBIs. The third baseman was named to the National League All-Star team and helped lead the Pirates to the 1960 World Series title. After Hoak’s successful season in Pittsburgh, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds.

Helped the Pirates win the 1960 World Series

Don Hoak was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960. He helped the team win the World Series that year. He was known as a tough player and a good hitter.

Later Career and Death

After his Major League career ended, Hoak began coaching in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, eventually becoming a hitting coach at the Major League level. He was a coach for the Pirates from 1969 to 1972. He was then a hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs from 1972 to 1974. After his coaching career, Hoak became a broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds from 1975 to 1978. He was then a Minor League instructor for the Reds from 1979 to 1980. Hoak died of a heart attack on October 29, 1980, at the age of 51.

Traded to the Chicago Cubs

In 1957, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Hoak to the Chicago Cubs. After only one year with the team, he was traded back to the Pirates. In 1960, Hoak became a regular starter for the first time in his career. That year, he hit .293 with 12 home runs and 59 RBIs. The following season, Hoak had his best year ever, batting .305 with 19 home runs and 81 RBIs. He made his only All-Star appearance that year.

Batted .232 with four home runs and 17 RBIs

Hoak’s batting average steadily declined from year to year, and in his final season, he batted .232 with four home runs and 17 RBIs. He was released by the Phillies after the 1963 season and never played in the major leagues again. He died of a heart attack on November 24, 1969, at the age of 37.

Died of a heart attack at the age of 37

On November 20, 1969, Hoak died of a heart attack in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the age of 37. He had just finished dinner with friends and was walking to his car when he collapsed. The cause was later determined to be a brain aneurysm. He was survived by his wife and four children.