Jay Hook

James Wesley "Jay" Hook (born November 18, 1936 in Waukegan, Illinois, United States) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1957 through 1964, Hook played for the Cincinnati Reds (1957–61) and New York Mets (1962–64). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.[1]

Jay Hook
Pitcher
Born: (1936-11-18) November 18, 1936
Waukegan, Illinois
Batted: Left Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 3, 1957, for the Cincinnati Redlegs
Last MLB appearance
May 3, 1964, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Win–loss record29–62
Earned run average5.23
Strikeouts394
Teams

In an eight-season career, Hook posted a 29–62 record with 394 strikeouts and a 5.23 ERA in 752.2 innings pitched.[1]

Jay attended high school at Grayslake Community High School (now Grayslake Central High School).[1]

A bonus baby signed by the Cincinnati Reds out of Northwestern University, Hook made his major league debut with Cincinnati in 1957. He joined the Reds regular pitching rotation in 1960 and had an 11–18 mark, including a two-hit shutout against the Milwaukee Braves.[2]

Ineffective in 1961, Hook was acquired by the New York Mets in the 1961 MLB Expansion Draft, along with Hobie Landrith, Elio Chacón, Roger Craig, Gil Hodges, Don Zimmer and Gus Bell, among others.

On April 23, 1962, Hook became the first winning pitcher in Mets franchise history, tossing a complete-game, 5-hitter in New York's 9-1 win versus Pittsburgh at Forbes Field, giving the team its first regular-season victory after nine defeats. In that season he compiled an 8–19 mark for the Mets, and led the team in complete games (13) and games started (34).[1]

Those 1962 Mets had a record of 40–120, still the most losses for any Major League team in a single season since the 19th Century.

After receiving a master's degree in thermodynamics, Hook retired in 1964 at age 28 to take a job with Chrysler Corporation.

Jay Hook and his wife Joan now reside in Maple City, Michigan.[3]

References
  1. "Jay Hook Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  2. "Sep 20, 1960, Reds at Braves Box Score and Play by Play". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. September 20, 1960. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  3. Peek, Jeff (April 23, 2002). "First victory propelled Hook into Mets' lore". record-eagle.com. Traverse City, Michigan: Record-Eagle. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
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