Dick Hoblitzel

Richard Carleton Hoblitzel
(Doc)
born Richard Carleton Hoblitzell

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 172 lb.
• School University of Pittsburgh
• High School Parkersburg High School; Marietta Academy
• Debut September 5, 1908
• Final Game June 7, 1918
• Born October 26, 1888 in Waverly, WV USA
• Died November 14, 1962 in Parkersburg, WV USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Born Richard Carleton Hoblitzell, he also played under the name "Hollister". He captained the Parkersburg High School football team during his freshman and sophomore years. For his last two years of high school Dick attended prep school at Marietta Academy, playing halfback for the Marietta College team in 1905 and 1906. In the fall of 1907 he enrolled at the Western University of Pennsylvania (which became known as the University of Pittsburgh the following year) and played end for the famous WUP football team.

After Dick Hoblitzel established himself as a regular at the tender age of 20, commentators mentioned him in the same breath as Ed Konetchy and Kitty Bransfield as one of the great first basemen of the National League. A perfect gentleman both on and off the field, the college-educated "Hobby" was an intelligent player whom both teammates and opponents respected. "He stands well up to the plate, takes a healthy swing at the ball, and is a long driver at opportune times," wrote one reporter. "In fact, he is looked upon by opposing pitchers as one of the most dangerous men at the bat that they are called upon to face."

He was the regular first baseman for Cincinnati and then Brooklyn in the National League from 1909 to 1919. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I (BN). In March 1918 Hoblitzel passed an examination for the US Army Dental Corps. With his mind on his impending military service, he got off to a horrible start and was batting just .159 when he was called to duty early in the season, marking the end of his major league career. Stationed at Nitrate Plant No. 1 in Sheffield, Alabama, Hoblitzel rose to the rank of lieutenant before his discharge in 1920. His MLB career being ended by military service, he played (until 1931), managed and umpired minor league baseball. He then managed the family cattle farm. Also active in local politics, he was Wood County Commissioner (1942-48) and sheriff (1952-56)

Hoblitzel also managed at Charlotte (SAL) in 1923.

Notable Achievements

• NL At Bats Leader (1910 & 1911)
• Won two World Series with the Boston Red Sox (1915 & 1916)

Related Sites

• Dick Hoblitzell at the SABR Bio Project