Hall of Fame


Bobby Hoch - Player

 Inducted in 1996


Hoch was a standout left-handed pitcher from Bridgeville, DE. He was a crafty pitcher with a good screwball, fast curve and a sneaky fastball. He was signed by Cardinal scout Pop Kelchner and played for Johnson City, TN in the Class D Appalachian League in 1946 posting a 12-5 record. During the season he was honored with "Bob Hoch Night" at Cardinal Park for not only his playing ability, but also his sportsmanship. He served as a radio gunner on a B-26 aircraft in Europe and flew 26 missions during World War II. In 1948 he was with Fresno, CA and had a 14-2 record. The year 1949 had him pitching for Allentown and with a 11-2 record it earned him a move to Houston of the Texas League in 1950. During the 1952 season with the Allentown Redbirds of the Class B Interstate League, Hoch appeared in 22 games compiling a 15-3 record and a 1.83 ERA. He won the Most Valuable Player Award that year and at one point was 12-0 with 11 complete games and six shutouts. Hoch also pitched with the Rochester Red Wings from Columbus, GA during his 10-year professional career.

Hoch was a graduate of the University of Delaware and was a teacher and coach in the Milford, DE school district. He was also an excellent golfer and charter member of the Shawnee Country Club in Milford, DE. where he was a 12-time Club Champion.