Back then, the word “dumb” was used to describe someone who could not speak. While modern day defensive metrics don’t do his career any favors, he was known as a strong outfielder during his day due to his speed and arm. Living a dream that wouldn't die; his passion empowered him to historically change the course of baseball. Hoy played in the American League in 1900, one year before it became classified as a Major League. Baseball Player. Hoy taught his teammates how to communicate in sign language—very useful on the field. Hoy was a small guy at 5’6″, 160 pounds, but he could hit, run and throw with the best of them. If you’d like to read more about the history of baseball in Oshkosh, the Wisconsin Historical Society has digitized the publication I referenced above, Oshkosh in base ball, available here. Dummy Hoy’s real name is William Ellsworth Hoy but he was also known as Dummy, Billy Hoy, and Bill Hoy. In those less enlightened times, many deaf mutes were nicknamed Dummy. Born in 1862 #8. Taylor's three page letter is penned in blue ink on "Illinois School for the Deaf" letterhead. Hoy had 2,048 hits and scored 1,429 runs in 1,797 games. Thanks again! Maybe Dummy Hoy didn’t hit as many home runs as Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron or have as many singles as Ty Cobb or Pete Rose. He is one of the more well-known players from that era. Even against lefties. I have tried this, but doesn't work and just produces NAs Nick Etten did go on to have a…, Some of the players we feature here in this series went on to Hall of Fame careers. The word “dumb” meant someone who couldn't speak (yet Hoy was known for a soft high pitched squeaky voice) “so he was nicknamed “Dummy”. That’s fantastic. He also once belonged to the Pittsburgh Pirates, something that I just learned days before I wrote this article. I’ll have to look for it if it comes on a streaming service during this long offseason. He’s not the first 19th century player who was praised for his defense, but gets knocked down by modern metrics. After disbanding in 1872, the Oshkosh Amateurs were formed by Sam Hay, Jr., in 1874, lasting until 1885 with a record of 37-9. There have been a number of Deaf athletes that were nicknamed “Dummy.” The Everetts –so named for Arthur Everett, the high school principal at the time– began play in 1865, competing against other local clubs in the region. However, they spent a lot more than they made in 1899 and the trade with Pittsburgh helped cut costs, while also allowing Dreyfuss to part ways with the team that he had stock/interest in. Dummy Hoy Popularity . “In the old days Hoy and I were called Dummy. William “Dummy” Hoy … You can read much more on Hoy elsewhere (I’ve included a video link below), which I’ve done over the years, but this is about his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, which I’ve never read before. Louisville was willing to play in 1900 and there was talk that Hoy would be their player-manager if the club continued to play. He was born in 1862 in Houcktown, northern Ohio, graduated from Ohio School for the Deaf, began his professional career in 1886, played for several major-league teams from 1888 to 1902, and died in Cincinnati in 1961 at the age of 99 years and 5 months. Over the next fourteen years, playing for … In the parlance of the times, Hoy was “deaf and mute”, hence the nickname “Dummy”. With Deanne Bray, Ryan Lane, Roy Firestone, Victoria Lea Rudd. In 1886, Oshkosh baseball turned professional, then had its most successful season in 1887 thanks in part to one-time lumber baron and otherwise local business magnate and philanthropist, Edgar Sawyer. a short run at the New York Theatre for the Deaf, Forty years of Jerry Reinsdorf, White Sox owner. So his time officially as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t last long. Posted by Ted Mulvey | Mar 22, 2020 | White Sox History | 13. But back when Hoy was playing, nicknames were descriptive, often to the point of cruelty. Dummy Hoy Fans Also Viewed . It didn’t happen though, but now you know that the Pirates briefly had one of the greats of the 19th century. He also led the league with 117 walks (with just 25 strikeouts) in 1891, and 86 walks in 1901 when he played in the American League. William “Dummy” Hoy became Deaf at the age of three. It’s a look at…, 1925 Pirate Replay, August 12: Yde Makes Early Lead Stand Up Against Giants, Sign of the Times: The 12-Man Road Rosters, This Date in Pittsburgh Pirates History: March 24th, Seven Players Born on this Date, 1925 Pirate Replay, August 11: Big Eighth Inning Gives Pirates Win Over Giants, The One Who Got Away: George “High Pockets” Kelly. Since 1989, Sandy has studied the life of William Ellsworth “Dummy” Hoy, the deaf centerfielder whose story is the stuff of underdogs. This interview is a blast. Most Popular #59860. That outfield has two Hall of Famers in Wagner and Clarke, as well as Ginger Beaumont, who hit .352 as a rookie in 1899, and he was just a few years away from a batting title. This feat was remarkable –almost unequalled in the annals of baseball–…every man of the fourteen under contract played to win the championship. Miles Barbee, a Deaf actor, portrays the main character, Hoy… Hollister, and Leander Choate had become interested in the national game and resolved to place a winning team in the field for the season of 1887. Unbeknownst to me until I looked into the topic, there’s also a film about Hoy which premiered here in Oshkosh last year, The Silent Natural. Spring batch project. In this regard, how did Dummy Hoy communicate with his team? Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Sporcle Saturday: Opening Day DHs since 19(73), MLB, White Sox should refund April tickets. Hoy played in the Pacific Coast League in 1903 before retiring from baseball. Before the trade, they had 18 seasons without a first place finish. He hit .254 in 137 games, scoring 115 runs. Everyone here should know about the famous Honus Wagner trade. John Montgomery Ward. I haven’t watched it yet, so no idea if it is any good. The movie is called, “The Silent Natural,” It is produced by David Risotto. He ended up living a long life, passing away at 99 years old in 1962. I think I need to use the ifelse function to create the new dummy variable to translate as 'if the date is before '2012.03.01' then = 0, if after the date '2012.0301 then =1'. Taylor told Baseball Magazine that the nickname “Dummy” was not a problem. Hoy couldn’t talk obviously, but he made what were described as “squeaking sounds” and the other fielders knew he had the ball. While it would be strange to see a semi-professional baseball team in Oshkosh today — the city’s population is just about 70,000– in the late-19th century, Oshkosh was one of the most populous states in Wisconsin thanks almost entirely to the booming lumber industry of the time. The 1901 season was the only one in which this player appeared for the White Sox (the 1900 minor league club notwithstanding), but it wasn’t too shabby: a .294/.407/.400 triple-slash, the .407 OBP boosted by a league-leading 86 walks and 14 HBPs, plus 155 hits (41 of which went for extra bases). Now, I’d be less-than-truthful if I said that the statistics are what drew my eye. In the parlance of the times, Hoy was “deaf and mute”, hence the nickname “Dummy”. Not necessarily in that order, but quite possibly. I had previously heard about Hoy but never bothered doing any research on him. Directed by David Risotto. To Hoy, his condition wasn’t an excuse; it was what it was. He was deaf and a speedy outfielder who made important contributions to the game of baseball while playing for the Washington Nationals, Louisville Colonels, Chicago White Sox, and Cincinnati Reds from 1888-1902. Hoy is a historical figure in baseball, especially if you study 19th century baseball. A dummy is called a dummy for two reasons one because he is dumand not smart and does not know things second is because he is a dummy. The Honus Wagner deal happened because Barney Dreyfuss was involved with Louisville before making his move to the Pirates full-time, where he became a Hall of Fame owner. You might notice right away a good reason that the Pirates didn’t keep Hoy for 1900. Indeed, he referred to himself as “Dummy” and politely corrected those who, for whatever reason, called him “William.” Hoy would have been an exceptional man with or without his handicap. That’s tereific, thanks. On July 4th, Oshkosh was 14 games behind the leader, Milwaukee. That made Hoy a free agent. If you’ve read our previous One Who Got Away features, then you know the general feel to them. A true story of a courageous boy who becomes a legend. You could also say that numbers put up by outfielder Tom McCreery (.220 average) would have been upgraded by the decision to keep Hoy instead. He remained with the Chicago White Sox the next year, returning him to the majors, even though he didn’t change teams. William “Dummy” Hoy (don’t worry, he was fine with the nickname and used it himself) was a deaf-mute, who is the best deaf player of all-time. Granted Engel needs to get healthy but Engel in right against a lefty with Leury in left. That is how he got that nickname. Baseball Player. Sure, numbers this early in baseball’s history are a little sketchy, but I find it nonetheless remarkable that a man with Hoy’s handicap –playing during an era of society where he wasn’t likely to even get the chance to play– found such success. From Oshkosh in base ball (1913): Messrs. Edgar P. Sawyer, Joseph Porter, S.W. Dummy Hoy and Dummy Taylor Today, the word “dummy” is considered offensive and is used with the intent to insult someone. In 1879, Hoy graduated as valedictorian of his class at the Ohio School for the Deaf and opened his own shoe shop. The fact that he was a full-time center fielder speaks volumes to his level of play. William Ells worth “Dummy” Hoy (1862-1961) was the first deaf player to have a long career in the major leagues. Tom Brown. They listed a roster of 36 players whose rights were controlled by the Pirates. You see, Hoy’s given name was William Ellsworth Hoy. You could also make a case that Honus Wagner could have covered first base, where Duff Cooley hit .201 in 66 games. He was still a good player, so he would have strengthened the 1900 Pirates, though his playing time would have been limited. Hoy played in … Thank you for the article. 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