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Dummy HoyAmerican athlete, center fielder in Major League Baseball
Date of Birth: 23.05.1862
Country:  USA |
Content:
- William "Dummy" Hoy: A Deaf Baseball Legend
- Early Baseball Career
- League Success
- National League Career
- Continued Success
- The 'Deaf Double-Header'
- Retirement and Legacy
William "Dummy" Hoy: A Deaf Baseball Legend
Early Life and EducationWilliam Ellsworth Hoy was born in Houcktown, Ohio, in 1862. At the age of three, he lost his hearing due to meningitis. Hoy attended the Ohio State School for the Deaf, where he excelled academically, becoming valedictorian of his class.
Early Baseball Career
After graduating, Hoy opened a shoe shop in his hometown. On weekends, he played baseball and demonstrated exceptional talent. He eventually signed a professional contract with the Oshkosh, Wisconsin, baseball team.
League Success
Throughout his career, Hoy displayed an impressive skill set, including exceptional speed, fielding, and base stealing. He set several records based largely on his lightning-fast agility. In 1890, he joined the Buffalo Bisons with his close friend, catcher Connie Mack. He later moved to the St. Louis Browns under manager Charles Comiskey.
National League Career
After playing with the Browns, Hoy joined the Washington Senators in the National League. He later played for the Cincinnati Reds, where he reunited with Comiskey. He spent four seasons with the Reds, demonstrating consistent performance as a center fielder.
Continued Success
Hoy also played for the Louisville Colonels, along with notable players like Honus Wagner and Tommy Leach. In 1899, he surpassed Mike Griffin's record of 1459 games played as a center fielder. He joined the Chicago White Sox briefly and then the Los Angeles team in the Pacific Coast League.
The 'Deaf Double-Header'
In 1902, Hoy faced Dummy Taylor of the New York Giants in what became the first-ever "deaf double-header" in major league history.
Retirement and Legacy
William Hoy retired from baseball in 1902. After marrying Anna Marie, also deaf, he managed a dairy farm in Ohio. He passed away in 1961 and was cremated, with his ashes scattered over Lytle Park in Cincinnati. Hoy remains one of the most notable deaf baseball players in history, known for his incredible speed and impressive glove work.
