Mr. Hooper! Mr. Hooper!

Bob Hooper was a pitcher in the majors in the early fifties with the Athletics, Indians and Reds. He won 15 games for the 1950 Philadelphia club despite an ERA over 5, and was 12-10 in 1951, but he walked more people than he struck out and was in the minors for good again in 1956.

Hooper was on the 1954 AL Champion Indians, but didn't play in the postseason.

In 1955, Hooper was purchased at the beginning of the year by the Reds from the Indians. He got off to a bad start (0-2 and a 7.62 ERA) and was off to the minors....but it was the Indianapolis club he went to, back in the Indians organization.

How did that happen? No mention on his Baseball Reference major league page. So we turn to the Logansport Pharos-Tribune of May 17, 1955 for the answer:

"Indianapolis Club Buys Bob Hooper INDIANAPOLIS (UP) -- General manager Eddie Stumpf today announced the purchase of right- hander Bob Hooper from the Cincinnati Redlegs to bolster Indianapolis' sagging pitching staff. Hooper's best year in the majors was in 1950,. 15-10 with the Philadelphia A's. He was with Cleveland the past two seasons before being waived out of the American League. At Cincinnati, he compiled a 0-2 mark this spring, giving up 20 hits and 11 earned runs in 13 innings."

Hooper would stay just that season with Indianapolis before heading to Vancouver and the Orioles system. I have not been able to track that transaction down. Can you?

Mr. Hooper from

1952toppsbaseballcards.com