Bobby Hofman

From BR Bullpen

1956 Topps #28 Bobby Hofman

Robert George Hofman

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Biographical Information[edit]

The nephew of Solly Hofman and Oscar Hofman, infielder Bobby Hofman served in the U.S. Army in World War II prior to reaching the majors. Upon retiring as a player, he was tied with Fred (Cy) Williams for the most pinch-hit home runs, lifetime (9, a record since broken). He hit his last on May 27, 1955.

He appeared in the field during 205 of his 341 career games in the majors. The most common position for him was second base, where he had 82 appearances - a lot fewer than his games as a pinch-hitter.

After his playing days ended, he was a Kansas City Athletics coach in 1966 (he also guided the Arizona Instructional League A's team that year) and 1967 and a member of the Washington Senators staff in 1968. He coached for the Oakland Athletics in 1969 and 1970 before spending the next two seasons with the Cleveland Indians. He returned to the Athletics staff again in 1974, 1975, and 1978. He was the Scouting Director for the New York Yankees from 1980 to 1984 and the director of player development from 1985 to 1988.

All in all, Hofman spent over 40 years in baseball as a player, coach, executive and minor league manager, retiring in 1989 and dying from cancer less than five years later.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Organization Playoffs Notes
1958 Danville Leafs Carolina League 80-59 1st San Francisco Giants Lost League Finals
1959 Plainview Athletics Sophomore League 60-65 4th Kansas City A's
1960 Sioux City Soos Three-I League 71-68 3rd Kansas City A's
1961 Visalia Athletics California League 60-79 4th Kansas City A's none
1962 Albuquerque Dukes Texas League 70-70 3rd Kansas City A's Lost in 1st round
1963 Daytona Beach Islanders Florida State League 51-71 7th Kansas City A's
1964 Lewiston Broncs Northwest League 70-70 4th Kansas City A's
1965 Lewiston Broncs Northwest League 18-7 -- Kansas City A's replaced by Bill Posedel on May 17
Vancouver Mounties Pacific Coast League 64-55 5th Kansas City A's replaced Haywood Sullivan (13-14) on May 17
1973 Richmond Braves International League 18-43 -- Atlanta Braves replaced by Clint Courtney on June 15
1974 Lewiston Broncs Northwest League 12-12 -- Oakland A's replaced by Buddy Peterson on July 9

Further Reading[edit]

  • Jeff English: "Bobby Hofman", in Chip Greene, ed.: Mustaches and Mayhem, Charlie O's Three-Time Champions: The Oakland Athletics 1972-74, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2015, pp. 511-516. ISBN 978-1-943816-07-1

Related Sites[edit]