Description
Dick Hoblitzel
Born: October 26, 1888 in Waverly, West Virginia
Died: November 14, 1962 (aged 74) in Parkersburg, West Virginia
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 175 lbs.
Position: First Base
Played For:
Cincinnati Reds (1908–1914)
Boston Red Sox (1914–1918)
Biography:
An intelligent player whom both teammates and opponents respected, 29-year-old first baseman Dick Hoblitzell opened the 1918 season as the Red Sox’ captain and cleanup hitter, but an early-season slump and his June induction into the Army Dental Corps marked an inglorious end to an otherwise distinguished 11-year career in the major leagues. Though he spent the more productive early part of his career with the Cincinnati Reds, “Hobby” looked back most fondly on his time with three World Champion teams in Boston, and in later years he kept in touch with Red Sox teammates Larry Gardner, Harry Hooper, Herb Pennock, and Tris Speaker.
The middle of three sons, Richard Carleton Hoblitzell was born on October 26, 1888. His mother, the former Laura Alcock, was of English descent, while his father, Henry Hoblitzell, whose ancestors hailed from the oft-disputed Alsace-Lorraine region, was part German, Swiss, and French. The Hoblitzell surname was a source of confusion throughout Dick’s baseball career; Dick himself, however, consistently spelled it with two l’s. Dick’s older brother, William, and his younger brother, Clinton, both had blue eyes and light-colored hair, but Dick had dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a darker complexion than his brothers.
More info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Hoblitzel
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hoblidi01.shtml
http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/cb3838ec
