1953 Topps Project - Post #2

#176 - Don Hoak - Brooklyn Dodgers

Don Hoak may not have participated in a memorable play during the 1953 season like the subject of my first 1953 Topps post, however I've learned that his life, albeit short, reads like a movie script.

In the early 1950's, Don stepped into a batter's box in Cuba to face a young pitcher by the name of Fidel Castro, and convinced the umpire to have him thrown from the game after a few brushback pitches! I never realized Fidel Castro threw a pitch in his life! I won't summarize everything I've learned aobut Don's life here, in the interest of keeping the post to a reasonable length (check out his wikipedia entry to see why he puts Curt Schilling's bloody sock to shame), but here are some other interesting facts about Don...

He played third base for Brooklyn in place of Jackie Robinson in game 7 of the 1955 World Series, a game the Dodgers won, and the only World Series game that Jackie Robinson missed during his career. He was involved in one of two plays during 1957 that ultimately were the catalyst for a change in the baserunner interference rules. During this same season, his only All-Star appearance was attributed to a controversial ballot-stuffing campaign by Cincinnati Redlegs fans. Don set the National League record for most strikeouts in a game with 6. He also won another World Series title with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960, a season in which he finished second in N.L. MVP votes to fellow Pirate Dick Groat.

Perhaps most bizarre of all, Don died at age 41 of a heart attack, while chasing after his brother-in-law's stolen car. At least he was immortalized in a line from Billy Crystal in the film City Slickers...