Oral Hildebrand
Encyclopedia
Oral Clyde Hildebrand was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
from 1931 to 1940. He played for the Cleveland Indians
, St. Louis Browns
, and New York Yankees
.
. He attended Butler University
and was the starting center
for the basketball team. He led Butler to the 1929 national collegiate championship, was the captain of the 1930 squad, and is in the Butler Hall of Fame.
's Indianapolis Indians
. In two seasons, he went just 14–18 but made it to the major leagues in late 1931.
Hildebrand broke into the Cleveland Indians' starting rotation in 1933. That season, he went 16–11, led the American League
in shutouts
with six, and was selected to the All-Star team
. He pitched a one-hitter on April 26. From 1934 to 1936, he continued to pitch effectively for the Indians, going 30–28 in those years. Hildebrand also had several public disputes with manager Walter Johnson
, which ended when Johnson was fired in 1935.
In 1937, Hildebrand was traded to the Browns in a blockbuster deal. He struggled in two seasons with St. Louis and was then traded again, to the Yankees. In 1939, he went 10–4 with a career-low 3.06 earned run average
, helping the Yankees win the AL pennant. He started game 4 of the World Series
and pitched four shutout innings, as the Yankees clinched the title.
Hildebrand went back to the minor leagues in 1941 and retired the following year.
Hildebrand died on September 7, 1977, at the age of 70. He was survived by his wife Frances and five children and was buried in the Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
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...
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...
from 1931 to 1940. He played for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, and New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
.
Early life
Hildebrand was born in Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. He attended Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
and was the starting center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
for the basketball team. He led Butler to the 1929 national collegiate championship, was the captain of the 1930 squad, and is in the Butler Hall of Fame.
Baseball career
Hildebrand started his professional baseball career in 1930 with the American AssociationAmerican Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
's 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 two seasons, he went just 14–18 but made it to the major leagues in late 1931.
Hildebrand broke into the Cleveland Indians' starting rotation in 1933. That season, he went 16–11, led the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in shutouts
Shutout (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a shutout refers to the act by which a single pitcher pitches a complete game and does not allow the opposing team to score a run...
with six, and was selected to the All-Star team
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
. He pitched a one-hitter on April 26. From 1934 to 1936, he continued to pitch effectively for the Indians, going 30–28 in those years. Hildebrand also had several public disputes with manager Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson
Walter Perry Johnson , nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators...
, which ended when Johnson was fired in 1935.
In 1937, Hildebrand was traded to the Browns in a blockbuster deal. He struggled in two seasons with St. Louis and was then traded again, to the Yankees. In 1939, he went 10–4 with a career-low 3.06 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, helping the Yankees win the AL pennant. He started game 4 of 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 pitched four shutout innings, as the Yankees clinched the title.
Hildebrand went back to the minor leagues in 1941 and retired the following year.
Later life
After his baseball career was over, Hildebrand became a tool and die maker for the Link-Belt Division of FMC Corporation. He retired in 1972.Hildebrand died on September 7, 1977, at the age of 70. He was survived by his wife Frances and five children and was buried in the Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball shutout champions
- List of Cleveland Indians Opening Day starting pitchers
- List of St. Louis Browns Opening Day starting pitchers