Homer Hillebrand

Homer Hiller Henry Hillebrand

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 5' 8", Weight 165 lb.
• School Princeton University
• High School Le Mars High School
• Debut April 24, 1905
• Final Game April 24, 1908
• Born October 10, 1879 in Freeport, IL USA
• Died January 20, 1974 in Elsinore, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Homer Hillebrand, a Princeton man, pitched three years for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was a two-way player as a rookie. He appeared in 16 games at first base, 7 in the outfield, and 3 as catcher, while pitching 10 games that year. He was at Princeton at the same time as Dutch Meier.

His ERA was better than average in each of his three seasons. The most similar pitcher is another player who did some hitting, George Sisler (one of whose sons went to Princeton).

The emergence of prospect Homer Bailey in 2007 has renewed interest in the performance of pitchers named Homer, with one observer noting that Hillebrand gave up only one "homer" while in the majors.

He makes the "Baseball Stat" team, along with Win Ballou, Bob Walk, John Strike, and Jay Baller.

A teammate in the minors in 1902-03 was Arthur Hillebrand, a brother. Arthur also went to Princeton, and made news because he apparently refused to play in the the majors. A mention in Sporting Life in 1905 indicated that Arthur was the oldest Hillebrand boy and Homer the youngest, but did not specify any others. Arthur is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame under the name Art "Doc" Hillebrand - the football team was tremendously successful, and he was also considered as good as any college pitcher in the country.

An article in 1903 referred to Homer as Holmes Hillebrand.

Related Sites

• Homer Hillebrand at the SABR Bio Project