Joe Hague
Encyclopedia
Joe Clarence Hague was a professional baseball
player whose career spanned eight seasons. Over his eight year career, Hague spent six of those in Major League Baseball
. In 430 major league games, Hague batted
.239 with 141 runs
, 286 hits
, 41 doubles
, 10 triples
, 40 home runs, and 163 runs batted in (RBIs). Over his major league career, Hague played first base (232 games), and outfield
(272 games). Hague played for the St. Louis Cardinals
and the Cincinnati Reds
in his six-year major league career.
Over his minor league
career, Hague batted .279 with 515 hits, 109 doubles, 18 triples, and 75 home runs in 510 games. Like in his major league career, Hague played both first base (352 games) and outfield (20 games) in the minors. Hague played with four different teams that three levels of the minor leagues in his career. His first professional team was the Class-A Cedar Rapids Cardinals followed by the Double-A Arkansas Travelers
, and eventually the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers
. Hague made his major league debut on September 19, 1968. He went on to play for the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers for a second time (1969) and the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
(1973) in the minors.
. At Bel Aire, Hague played football
, baseball, and basketball
. He stated that he only played basketball for the coordination. After high school, Hague was pursued by the Houston Astros
, however, no deal ever formed. He went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin
(UT Austin) in Austin, Texas
. At UT Austin, Hague was described as a "top college prospect" by the Associated Press
in 1965. Hague began his career at UT Austin as an tight end
and defensive end
on the football team
before giving it up after one season to pursue opportunities in baseball. Hague was one of the top hitters in the country leading the country in doubles
, home runs, and runs batted in through April 11, 1965. It was speculated by the Associated Press that Hague would be selected in the 1965 Major League Baseball Draft
; however, he went undrafted.
. He began his professional career with the Class-A Cedar Rapids Cardinals of the Midwest League
. In his first professional at-bat, Hague hit a grand slam
. With Cedar Rapids, Hague batted
.251 with 109 hits
, 24 doubles
, six triples
, and nine home runs in 119 games. On the defensive side, Hague played exclusively at first base. Hague was first on the Cardinals in games played
; second in at-bats (435), doubles, and triples; and third in hits.
Hague was promoted to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers
in 1967, his second professional season. In 140 games, Hague batted .271 with 73 runs
, 141 hits, 28 doubles, one triple, 27 home runs, 95 runs batted in (RBIs), and 10 stolen bases. On the Travelers, Hague was first in games played, plate appearances (569), at-bats (521), runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, walks
(48), batting average, slugging percentage (.484), on-base plus slugging
(.816), and total bases
(252). Hague was first in the Texas League
in games played, and RBIs; tied for second in home runs; third in doubles, plate appearances, and at-bats; and fourth in hits. He played all 140 games at first base and committed 14 errors
in 1391 total chances
. In October 1967, Hague was added to the St. Louis Cardinals' 40-man roster.
Before the start of the 1968 season, the St. Louis Cardinals re-signed Hague. After spending spring training
with the Cardinals, Hague was optioned to the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers of the Pacific Coast League
. With the Oilers, Hague batted .293 with 81 runs, 155 hits, 34 doubles, eight triples, 23 home runs, 99 RBIs, and four stolen bases in 147 games. He was first on the Oilers in games played, plate appearances (589), at-bats (529), hits, triples, and total bases (274); tied for first in home runs; second in RBIs, batting average, slugging percentage (.518), and on-base plus slugging (.883). Hague led the Pacific Coast League in games played, and total bases; was second in RBIs; was tied for second in home runs; and was third in hits, and doubles. That season, Hague made his major league debut. His first major league game was on September 19, against the San Francisco Giants
where he scored one run after he was walked once. Hague's first hit was a home run, coming on September 20 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
. In his first season at the major league level, he batted .235 with two runs, four hits, one home run, one RBI, and two walks in seven games.
Originally at the start of the 1969 season, it looked as if there would be little chance that Hague would get playing time behind then-first baseman Orlando Cepeda
. During spring training, however, the Cardinal traded Cepeda for catcher
Joe Torre
and it was noted that Hague might get more playing time in the majors. Hague made the Cardinals' 25-man roster out of spring training. In his first eight games, Hague went hitless. Hague was sent down to the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers in June. With the Oilers, Hague batted .332 with 63 runs, 95 hits, 20 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, and 53 RBIs in 84 games. Hague was a September call-up for the Cardinals late in the season along with five other players. In the majors that season, Hague batted .170 with eight runs, 17 hits, two doubles, one triple, two home runs, and eight RBIs in 40 games.
Going into the 1970 season, the Cardinals' manager
Red Schoendienst
stated that he would give the starting first baseman job to Hague. It was also noted that Hague would get playing time in right field. Hague re-signed with the Cardinals in February 1970. In a Cardinals' 9–2 win over the New York Mets
on May 29, Hague had four hits and drove in five runs. On the season, Hague batted .271 with 58 runs, 122 hits, 16 doubles, four triples, 14 home runs, 68 RBIs, and two stolen bases in 139 games. On the defensive side, Hague played 82 games at first base where he committed four errors in 724 chances, and 52 games in the outfield where he committed one error in 81 chances. Hague was third on the Cardinals in home runs, and walks (63). That season, Hague set career highs in games played, plate appearances, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples, RBIs, stolen bases, walks, strikeouts, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and on-base plus slugging
.
In December 1970, Hague re-signed with the Cardinals. Hague stated that he wasn't satisfied with his performance during the 1970 season. Hague also acknowledged he had a weight problem and attempted to address it by showing up to spring training early. On June 5, 1971, Hague hit two home runs against the Cincinnati Reds
in a 5–3 Cardinals victory. Hague batted .226 with 46 runs, 86 runs, nine doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, and 54 RBIs in 129 games with the Cardinals. Hague was second on the team home runs, and was third in walks (63), and strikeouts (69) in 1971. On the defensive side, Hague played 91 games at first base, and committed three errors in 671 chances; and 36 games in the outfield, and committed two errors in 60 chances. He set a career high in home runs in 1971.
In February 1972, Hague re-signed with the Cardinals. During the 1972 offseaon, the Cardinals were in trade negotiations with the San Diego Padres
to get pitcher
Dave Roberts
in exchange for left fielder Luis Meléndez
and shortstop
Milt Ramirez. Hague was disappointed that the trade fell through because he felt that the with Robers the Cardinals would win the World Series
and without Meléndez, Hague would have a starring spot on the team. On May 19, Hague was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
for outfielder Bernie Carbo
. Hague played 27 games with the Cardinals that season and batted .237 with eight runs, 18 hits, five doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 11 RBIs.
with the Reds and went hitless in one at-bat and two walks. He also played three games in the 1972 World Series
and went hitless in three at-bats. Hague returned to the Reds in 1973 and split time between the majors and minors. On June 9, 1973, Hague was placed on the disabled list
after suffering a dislocated bone in his right hand. With the Reds that season, Hague batted .152 with two runs, five hits, two doubles, one home run, and one RBI in 19 games. He played 20 games with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
in the minor leagues and batted .203 with 15 hits, and three doubles. On March 28, 1974, Hague was placed on waivers by the Reds and eventually released.
, however, as a child his family moved to El Paso, Texas
. Hague had a wife, Mickey, whom he had a daughter with. His father was a Chief Master Sergeant
in the United States Army
. As a player, Hague made it a personal preference not to use profanity
and instead replaced it in his speech with the word mullet. Hague, who said that he used profanity a lot as a kid, stated that he stopped because "you don't gain anything from it". He took-up golf
during his early professional baseball career.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player whose career spanned eight seasons. Over his eight year career, Hague spent six of those 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...
. In 430 major league games, Hague batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.239 with 141 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 286 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 41 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 10 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 40 home runs, and 163 runs batted in (RBIs). Over his major league career, Hague played first base (232 games), and outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
(272 games). Hague played for 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...
and the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in his six-year major league career.
Over his minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
career, Hague batted .279 with 515 hits, 109 doubles, 18 triples, and 75 home runs in 510 games. Like in his major league career, Hague played both first base (352 games) and outfield (20 games) in the minors. Hague played with four different teams that three levels of the minor leagues in his career. His first professional team was the Class-A Cedar Rapids Cardinals followed by the Double-A Arkansas Travelers
Arkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
, and eventually the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers
Tulsa Oilers (baseball)
The Tulsa Oilers, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off in multiple leagues from 1905 to 1976. For most of their history, they played at Oiler Park, which opened on July 11, 1934, and was located on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds at 15th Street and...
. Hague made his major league debut on September 19, 1968. He went on to play for the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers for a second time (1969) and the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
(1973) in the minors.
Amateur career
Hague attended Bel Aire High School in El Paso, TexasEl Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
. At Bel Aire, Hague played football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, baseball, and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. He stated that he only played basketball for the coordination. After high school, Hague was pursued by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, however, no deal ever formed. He went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
(UT Austin) in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. At UT Austin, Hague was described as a "top college prospect" by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
in 1965. Hague began his career at UT Austin as an tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
and defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
on the football team
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
before giving it up after one season to pursue opportunities in baseball. Hague was one of the top hitters in the country leading the country in doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, home runs, and runs batted in through April 11, 1965. It was speculated by the Associated Press that Hague would be selected in the 1965 Major League Baseball Draft
1965 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1965 Major League Baseball Draft is the first year in which a draft took place for Major League Baseball.In Major League Baseball's first Free Agent Amateur Draft, the Kansas City Athletics selected Arizona State sophomore Rick Monday as the number one pick...
; however, he went undrafted.
St. Louis Cardinals
Before the 1966 season, Hague signed with the St. Louis CardinalsSt. 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...
. He began his professional career with the Class-A Cedar Rapids Cardinals of the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
. In his first professional at-bat, Hague hit a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
. With Cedar Rapids, Hague batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.251 with 109 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 24 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, six triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and nine home runs in 119 games. On the defensive side, Hague played exclusively at first base. Hague was first on the Cardinals in games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
; second in at-bats (435), doubles, and triples; and third in hits.
Hague was promoted to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers
Arkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
in 1967, his second professional season. In 140 games, Hague batted .271 with 73 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 141 hits, 28 doubles, one triple, 27 home runs, 95 runs batted in (RBIs), and 10 stolen bases. On the Travelers, Hague was first in games played, plate appearances (569), at-bats (521), runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
(48), batting average, slugging percentage (.484), on-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
(.816), and total bases
Total bases
In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i.e., the sum of his hits weighted by 1 for a single, 2 for a double, 3 for a triple and 4 for a home run.Only bases attained from hits count toward this total....
(252). Hague was first in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in games played, and RBIs; tied for second in home runs; third in doubles, plate appearances, and at-bats; and fourth in hits. He played all 140 games at first base and committed 14 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 1391 total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
. In October 1967, Hague was added to the St. Louis Cardinals' 40-man roster.
Before the start of the 1968 season, the St. Louis Cardinals re-signed Hague. After spending spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
with the Cardinals, Hague was optioned to the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. With the Oilers, Hague batted .293 with 81 runs, 155 hits, 34 doubles, eight triples, 23 home runs, 99 RBIs, and four stolen bases in 147 games. He was first on the Oilers in games played, plate appearances (589), at-bats (529), hits, triples, and total bases (274); tied for first in home runs; second in RBIs, batting average, slugging percentage (.518), and on-base plus slugging (.883). Hague led the Pacific Coast League in games played, and total bases; was second in RBIs; was tied for second in home runs; and was third in hits, and doubles. That season, Hague made his major league debut. His first major league game was on September 19, against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
where he scored one run after he was walked once. Hague's first hit was a home run, coming on September 20 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. In his first season at the major league level, he batted .235 with two runs, four hits, one home run, one RBI, and two walks in seven games.
Originally at the start of the 1969 season, it looked as if there would be little chance that Hague would get playing time behind then-first baseman Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes is a former Puerto Rican Major League Baseball first baseman.Cepeda was born to a poor family. His father, Pedro Cepeda, was a baseball player in Puerto Rico, which influenced his interest in the sport from a young age. His first contact with professional baseball was...
. During spring training, however, the Cardinal traded Cepeda for catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
and it was noted that Hague might get more playing time in the majors. Hague made the Cardinals' 25-man roster out of spring training. In his first eight games, Hague went hitless. Hague was sent down to the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers in June. With the Oilers, Hague batted .332 with 63 runs, 95 hits, 20 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, and 53 RBIs in 84 games. Hague was a September call-up for the Cardinals late in the season along with five other players. In the majors that season, Hague batted .170 with eight runs, 17 hits, two doubles, one triple, two home runs, and eight RBIs in 40 games.
Going into the 1970 season, the Cardinals' manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
stated that he would give the starting first baseman job to Hague. It was also noted that Hague would get playing time in right field. Hague re-signed with the Cardinals in February 1970. In a Cardinals' 9–2 win over the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
on May 29, Hague had four hits and drove in five runs. On the season, Hague batted .271 with 58 runs, 122 hits, 16 doubles, four triples, 14 home runs, 68 RBIs, and two stolen bases in 139 games. On the defensive side, Hague played 82 games at first base where he committed four errors in 724 chances, and 52 games in the outfield where he committed one error in 81 chances. Hague was third on the Cardinals in home runs, and walks (63). That season, Hague set career highs in games played, plate appearances, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples, RBIs, stolen bases, walks, strikeouts, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and on-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
.
In December 1970, Hague re-signed with the Cardinals. Hague stated that he wasn't satisfied with his performance during the 1970 season. Hague also acknowledged he had a weight problem and attempted to address it by showing up to spring training early. On June 5, 1971, Hague hit two home runs against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in a 5–3 Cardinals victory. Hague batted .226 with 46 runs, 86 runs, nine doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, and 54 RBIs in 129 games with the Cardinals. Hague was second on the team home runs, and was third in walks (63), and strikeouts (69) in 1971. On the defensive side, Hague played 91 games at first base, and committed three errors in 671 chances; and 36 games in the outfield, and committed two errors in 60 chances. He set a career high in home runs in 1971.
In February 1972, Hague re-signed with the Cardinals. During the 1972 offseaon, the Cardinals were in trade negotiations with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
to get pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Dave Roberts
Dave Roberts (pitcher)
David Arthur Roberts was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for eight teams from 1969 to 1981. He was second in the National League with a 2.10 earned run average in for the San Diego Padres, after which he was traded to the Houston Astros, where he spent the...
in exchange for left fielder Luis Meléndez
Luis Meléndez (baseball)
Luis Antonio Meléndez Santana is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1970 until 1977, for the St...
and shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Milt Ramirez. Hague was disappointed that the trade fell through because he felt that the with Robers the Cardinals would win the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
and without Meléndez, Hague would have a starring spot on the team. On May 19, Hague was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for outfielder Bernie Carbo
Bernie Carbo
Bernardo 'Bernie' Carbo is a former outfielder and designated hitter who played from through for the Cincinnati Reds , St. Louis Cardinals , Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers , Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
. Hague played 27 games with the Cardinals that season and batted .237 with eight runs, 18 hits, five doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 11 RBIs.
Cincinnati Reds
After the trade from the St. Louis Cardinals, it was noted by the Christian Science Monitor that Hague was expected to be a key in the Reds' success. On the season with the Reds, Hague batted .246 with 17 runs, 34 hits, seven doubles, one triple, four home runs, and 20 RBIs in 69 games. Hague played in the 1972 National League Championship Series1972 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 7, 1972 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThe Reds got a first-inning homer from second baseman Joe Morgan to take a short-lived 1–0 lead. But Pittsburgh bounced back with three in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by an RBI triple from Al Oliver and...
with the Reds and went hitless in one at-bat and two walks. He also played three games in the 1972 World Series
1972 World Series
The 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland Athletics against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds, with the A's winning in seven games. These two teams would meet again in the fall classic eighteen years later...
and went hitless in three at-bats. Hague returned to the Reds in 1973 and split time between the majors and minors. On June 9, 1973, Hague was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
after suffering a dislocated bone in his right hand. With the Reds that season, Hague batted .152 with two runs, five hits, two doubles, one home run, and one RBI in 19 games. He played 20 games with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
in the minor leagues and batted .203 with 15 hits, and three doubles. On March 28, 1974, Hague was placed on waivers by the Reds and eventually released.
Personal
Hague was born in Huntington, West VirginiaHuntington, West Virginia
Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
, however, as a child his family moved to El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
. Hague had a wife, Mickey, whom he had a daughter with. His father was a Chief Master Sergeant
Chief Master Sergeant
CMSgt ChevronChief Master Sergeant is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Master Sergeant, and is a senior non-commissioned officer. The official term of address is "Chief Master Sergeant" or "Chief".Attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant is the...
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. As a player, Hague made it a personal preference not to use profanity
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
and instead replaced it in his speech with the word mullet. Hague, who said that he used profanity a lot as a kid, stated that he stopped because "you don't gain anything from it". He took-up golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
during his early professional baseball career.