George Hooks
Ballplayers Wounded in Combat
| Date and Place of Birth: | February 24, 1917 Americus, GA |
| Date and Place of Death: | April 2, 1992 Americus, GA |
| Baseball Experience: | Minor League |
| Position: | Pitcher |
| Rank: | Corporal |
| Military Unit: | US Army |
| Area Served: | Mediterranean Theater of Operations |
George L. Hooks was born on February 24, 1917 in
Americus, Georgia.
After graduating in 1940, the 23-year-old was signed by the Cleveland
Indians, who shaved three years off his actual age and assigned him to
the Flint Gems of the Class C Michigan State League. Hooks made 23
appearances for the Gems and was 7-7 with a 4.98 ERA.
In 1941, the right-hander was at spring training in
Carthage, Missouri with the Cedar Rapids Raiders of the Class B Three-I
League. He was with the team at the start of the season but didn’t make
any appearances and returned to the Flint Gems before entering military
service.
In August 1943 it was reported that Corporal Hooks
had been wounded in action in North Africa, following an enemy bombing
and strafing raid. He spent seven months in hospital where he also
contracted tropical fever.
In March 1944, after his medical discharge, Hooks
reported to the Cleveland Indians spring training camp at Lafayette,
Indiana, and pitched in exhibition games for the Indians in April. On
April 15, he was assigned to the Baltimore Orioles of the Class AA
International League. In 15 games - 13 of them relief appearances –
Hooks was 1-2 with a 4.17 ERA, in what was the beginning of a five-year
career with the Orioles. In 1945, the only year he was used
predominantly as a starter, Hooks was 10-13 with a 4.48 ERA. He made 35
appearances for a 4.95 ERA in 1946, 28 appearances for a 4.54 ERA in
1947, and 24 appearances for a 4.79 ERA in 1948. Hooks’ final year in
professional baseball, 1949 when he was 32 years old, was with the San
Antonio Missions of the Class AA Texas League where he made 41
appearances with a 5.23 ERA. In seven minor league seasons, Hooks
pitched in 198 games for a 36-42 won-loss record and 4.76 ERA.
George Hooks passed away in Americus, Georgia on
April 2, 1992, aged 75. He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Americus
and was inducted into the Oglethorpe Athletics Hall of Fame the same
year.
George Hooks (far right) with Earl Henry and Bill Bonness with the
Indians at spring training in 1944
George Hooks (on left) with Hal Kleine and Ed Klieman
Date Added June 2, 2020
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