Herb Hunter
Encyclopedia
Herbert Harrison Hunter (December 25, 1895 - July 25, 1970) was an utility
infielder
/outfielder
in Major League Baseball
who played parts of four seasons between and . Listed at 6' 0.5", 165 lb., Hunter batted left-handed
and threw right-handed. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts.
in 1916, Hunter was soon traded by the Giants, along with Larry Doyle and Merwin Jacobson
, to the Chicago Cubs
in exchange for Heinie Zimmerman
and Mickey Doolan
. He would play just two games with the Cubs in 1916 and another three in . During World War I, Hunter served in the United States Navy, missing both the and seasons.
. Later that year, Hunter organized a team of minor and major league players to go on a barnstorming tour of Japan, the first of three such trips he would put together.
In , Hunter made his last big league appearance, a nine-game stint with the St. Louis Cardinals
during which he served mostly as a pinch runner
(though not a very successful one, as he was caught on all three of his stolen base
attempts).
, Lou Gehrig
, and Mickey Cochrane
.
for future endeavors. After again serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, Hunter moved to Orlando, Florida
, going into the real estate business. He died there in 1970 at the age of 74.
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
/outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played parts of four seasons between and . Listed at 6' 0.5", 165 lb., Hunter batted left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
and threw right-handed. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts.
Early career
After making his debut for the New York GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in 1916, Hunter was soon traded by the Giants, along with Larry Doyle and Merwin Jacobson
Merwin Jacobson
Merwin John William Jacobson was a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for three different teams between and . Listed at 5' 11.5", 165 lb., Jacobson batted and threw left-handed...
, to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in exchange for Heinie Zimmerman
Heinie Zimmerman
Henry Zimmerman , known as "Heinie" or "The Great Zim," was a Major League Baseball player in the early 20th century. Zimmerman played for the Chicago Cubs and New York Giants...
and Mickey Doolan
Mickey Doolan
Michael Joseph "Mickey" Doolan , is a former professional baseball player who played shortstop in the Major Leagues from 1905-1918. He would play for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Whales, Chicago Cubs, New York Giants, and Brooklyn Robins.-External links:...
. He would play just two games with the Cubs in 1916 and another three in . During World War I, Hunter served in the United States Navy, missing both the and seasons.
Post-WWI
After the war, Hunter surfaced for another brief major league stint in , this time for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. Later that year, Hunter organized a team of minor and major league players to go on a barnstorming tour of Japan, the first of three such trips he would put together.
In , Hunter made his last big league appearance, a nine-game stint with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
during which he served mostly as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
(though not a very successful one, as he was caught on all three of his stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
attempts).
Minor leagues and more touring
His major league career over, Hunter put together another barnstorming tour of Japan in , this time with a larger contingent of major league players. Hunter continued to play in the minor leagues through . Then, in , he put together one more tour of Japan, and this time the roster was much more impressive, featuring several future Hall of Famers, including Lefty GroveLefty Grove
Robert Moses "Lefty" Grove was a professional baseball pitcher. After having success in the minor leagues during the early 1920s, Grove became a star in Major League Baseball with the American League's Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox, winning 300 games in his 17-year MLB career...
, Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
, and Mickey Cochrane
Mickey Cochrane
Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
.
Post-baseball life
Financial concerns caused Hunter to bail out of the touring team business, turning things over to Lefty O'DoulLefty O'Doul
Francis Joseph "Lefty" O'Doul was an American Major League Baseball player who went on to become an extraordinarily successful manager in the minor leagues, and also a vital figure in the establishment of professional baseball in Japan.-Player:Born in San Francisco, California, O'Doul began his...
for future endeavors. After again serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, Hunter moved to Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, going into the real estate business. He died there in 1970 at the age of 74.