John Hoover (baseball)

John Hoover
Pitcher
Born: December 22, 1962 Fresno, California
Died: July 8, 2014 (aged 51) Fresno, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 23, 1990, for the Texas Rangers
Last MLB appearance
May 25, 1990, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	0–0
Earned run average	11.57
Innings pitched	4.2
Teams
Texas Rangers (1990)

John Nicklaus Hoover (December 22, 1962 – July 8, 2014) was the Major League Baseball No. 25 draft choice in the first round in 1984 (by Baltimore), after having led the nation in strikeouts in college baseball, pitching 205 strikeouts for Fresno State in his senior year.^[1] Also in 1984 Hoover was an opening pitcher for the United States Olympic baseball team, winning the opening game and helping the US to win the silver medal for baseball.^[2] His teammates on the Olympic team included Mark McGwire, Barry Larkin, Will Clark, and Oddibe McDowell.

In 1983, Hoover pitched the opening game at the IX Pan American Games, for an 8-0 victory over the Dominican Republic, helping to win the bronze medal for the United States team.^[3]

Hoover played for the Texas Rangers in the 1990 season, but had a shortened pro-baseball career due to injuries sustained as a college player.^[4] He died on July 8, 2014 apparently of natural causes.^[5]

References

1. Davis, Jeff. 1989. "Fun Back in Baseball for Hoover," The Fresno Bee (August 26, 1989)
2. Woody, Doyle. 1993. "One for the Ages," Anchorage Daily News (July 11, 1993), p. K20
3. The Fresno Bee (August 16, 1983)
4. Davis, Jeff. 1989. "Fun Back in Baseball for Hoover," The Fresno Bee (August 26, 1989)
5. Anteola, Bryant-Jon (July 19, 2014). "Former Fresno State baseball ace John Hoover dead at age 51". Fresno Bee. Retrieved July 24, 2014.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference