Hal Newhouser

cooperstownexpert.com
Birthdate 5/20/1921
Death Date 11/10/1998
Debut Year 1939
Year of Induction 1992
Teams Indians, Tigers
Position Pitcher

Hall of Fame pitcher Hal Newhouser angrily quit as a scout for the Astros when they ignored his advice and drafted Phil Nevin instead of Derek Jeter.

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In the collection:

Vintage 1948 letter from Hal Newhouser

Vintage 1948 letter from Hal Newhouser

Hal Newhouser was the major league’s first pitcher to earn back-to-back MVP Awards. The dominant pitcher during the war years, Newhouser won 80 games with a 1.99 ERA from 1944-1946. For his career, Prince Hal amassed 207 victories and 26 saves with 212 complete games and 33 shutouts. The lette
HoF umpire Billy Evans negotiates 1951 contract for Hal Newhouser as Tigers GM

HoF umpire Billy Evans negotiates 1951 contract for Hal Newhouser as Tigers GM

Before the era of free agency the team had most of the power when it came to contract negotiations. This letter, accompanied by the contract signed by Hall of Famer Billy Evans lends rare insight into the process. In it Evans alludes to the three outstanding seasons Newhouser completed from 1944-19
Second page of letter from Tiger GM Billy Evans to ace Hal Newhouser

Second page of letter from Tiger GM Billy Evans to ace Hal Newhouser

Hal Newhouser rejected Evans’ first offer of $42,000. In this letter, Billy Evans ups the ante by $3,000. Evans writes, “That is more money than any other player on the Detroit Club receives. I feel it will be more money than any other pitcher in the American or National League will rece
Page one of the contract offering $45,000 to Prince Hal

Page one of the contract offering $45,000 to Prince Hal

The first page of the Uniform Player’s Contract calls for Newhouser to make $45,000 for the 1951 season. In it is the “Loyalty Clause” which states, “The player agrees to perform his services hereunder diligently and faithfully, to keep himself in first-class physical conditi
Page two of the standard 1951 contract

Page two of the standard 1951 contract

The second page of the deal stipulates that the club may terminate the contract if the player shall at any time, “fail, refuse, or neglect to conform his personal conduct of good citizenship and good sportsmanship, or keep himself in first class condition.” It also puts forth that the ag
The third page is signed by Billy Evans

The third page is signed by Billy Evans

The third page of the standard four-page document holds the signature of Billy Evans in his position as General Manager of the Detroit Baseball Company. By virtue of his long career and of his many seasons in front offices of teams, Evans’ signature is not particularly rare. However his induct
Final page of Newhouser's 1951 pact

Final page of Newhouser's 1951 pact

The final page of the contract contains more legal stipulations for both the pitcher and the team. Newhouser would never again post a double-digit win total in any of his five remaining seasons. From 1951 until his retirement in 1955, Prince Hal won only 22 games against 18 losses. The 1951 season w
Hal Newhouser was inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 2, 1992

Hal Newhouser was inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 2, 1992

Baseball’s highest honor is induction into the sport’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. After a 17-year playing career that included back-to-back MVP seasons, Hal Newhouser received that distinction when the Veterans Committee selected him in 1992. He was chosen by the committee al
Longtime Pirate GM Joe Brown congratulates Newhouser on making the Hall of Fame

Longtime Pirate GM Joe Brown congratulates Newhouser on making the Hall of Fame

As Pittsburgh general manager from 1955-1976, Joe Brown saw many of the Pirate greats up close. Brown heaps praise on Newhouser, writing in part, “your career is truly worthy of recognition and placement with the other great men in Baseball’s history”. The handwritten letter serves

One response to “Hal Newhouser”

  1. paul says:

    again, same opinion stands way too many elected without a 10-year minimum dominance factor! its popularity hall of fame now!

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