Bill Hoffer

William Leopold Hoffer (November 8, 1870 – July 21, 1959) was an American professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of six seasons (1895–1899, 1901) with the Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Blues. For his career, he compiled a 92–46 record in 161 appearances, with a 3.75 earned run average and 314 strikeouts. In 1901 he archived the dubious honor of being the losing pitcher in the American League's first game.^[1]

Bill Hoffer
Pitcher
Born: (1870-11-08)November 8, 1870 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.
Died: July 21, 1959(1959-07-21) (aged 88) Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 26, 1895, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
July 4, 1901, for the Cleveland Blues
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	92–46
Earned run average	3.75
Strikeouts	314
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Baltimore Orioles (1895–1898) Pittsburgh Pirates (1898–1899) Cleveland Blues (1901)

In his rookie year, 1895, he compiled 31 wins (including a league-leading four shutouts) for the League-winning Orioles. He led the National League in Winning Percentage in 1895 and 1896.

He was born and later died in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at the age of 88.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders