Chuck Hinton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chuck Hinton |
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Hinton in 1962
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: May 3, 1934 Rocky Mount, North Carolina |
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| Died: January 27, 2013 (aged 78) Washington, D.C. |
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| debut | |||
| May 14, 1961, for the Washington Senators | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 28, 1971, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .264 | ||
| Home runs | 113 | ||
| Runs batted in | 443 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Charles Edward Hinton Jr. (May 3, 1934 – January 27, 2013) was an American professional baseball player. He was an outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB). Hinton played for the Washington Senators (1961–64), Cleveland Indians (1965–67, 1969–71), and California Angels (1968). He batted and threw with his right hand. He was known for his strong hitting and speed.
During his eleven seasons in MLB, Hinton had a .264 batting average. He hit 113 home runs and had 443 runs batted in. He played in a total of 1353 games.
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Playing Baseball and Other Sports
Chuck Hinton was a talented athlete from a young age. He attended Shaw University, where he played three different sports. He was a star in baseball, American football, and basketball for the Shaw Bears. After college, he served for two years in the United States Army.
In 1956, Chuck got his start in professional baseball. He signed a contract with the Baltimore Orioles after a tryout camp. He was a great hitter in the minor leagues. He won two batting championships while playing for Orioles teams. These teams included the Aberdeen Pheasants in 1959 and the Stockton Ports in 1960.
Joining Major League Baseball
The Orioles moved Hinton up to a higher minor league team, the Vancouver Mounties, in 1960. Later that year, MLB had an "expansion draft." This is when new teams pick players from other teams. The Orioles tried to keep Hinton from being picked by having him pretend to have a shoulder injury. Despite this, the Washington Senators chose Hinton in the draft.
The Senators sent Hinton to another minor league team, the Indianapolis Indians, before the 1961 season began. But it wasn't long before he joined the big leagues! The Senators called him up on May 14, 1961. He made his MLB debut the very next day.
Highlights of His Career
In his first season, 1961, Chuck Hinton had a .260 batting average. The next year, 1962, was even better. He hit .310, which was the fourth-best batting average in the American League. He also had two long hitting streaks that year, one for 17 games and another for 15 games. He finished second in stolen bases in the American League.
Hinton was a key player for the Washington Senators. He led the team in batting average for three years in a row (1962–64). He also led them in triples and stolen bases for four years (1961–64). He was the last player for the Senators to hit over .300 in a season.
In 1963, Hinton was hit in the head by a pitch. He was unconscious and had to be carried off the field. But he was tough! He returned to play just eight days later, even though he felt some effects from the concussion. Because of his great play, Hinton was chosen to represent the American League in the 1964 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Moving to Other Teams
After the 1964 season, the Senators traded Hinton to the Cleveland Indians. He played for the Indians for three seasons. Then, in 1967, he was traded to the California Angels. He played one season with the Angels in 1968.
Just before the 1969 season, the Angels traded Hinton back to the Cleveland Indians. He played three more seasons with the Indians. The Indians released him after the 1971 season, which ended his playing career. In total, Chuck Hinton played six years for the Cleveland Indians.
After Playing Baseball
After his time as a player, Chuck Hinton continued to be involved in baseball. From 1972 to 2000, he was the head coach for the Howard University baseball team. He led the team to their first championship in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
In 1982, Hinton started an important group called the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA). This group helps promote the game of baseball. It also raises money for charities and helps inspire young people through positive sports examples. The MLBPAA works to protect the good name of baseball through its former players.
Personal Life
Chuck Hinton and his wife, Irma, lived in Washington, D.C. They had four children together. Chuck Hinton passed away on January 27, 2013, due to problems from Parkinson's disease. His uniform number 32 is honored in the Washington Wall of Stars.
