Jay Hook
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Wesley (Jay) Hook (born November 18, 1936 in Waukegan, Illinois) 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.
In an eight-season career, Hook posted a 29-62 record with 394 strikeouts and a 5.23 ERA in 752.2 innings pitched.
Jay attended high school at Grayslake Community High School (now Grayslake Central High School).
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 a 11-18 mark, including a two-hit shutout against the Milwaukee Braves that chilled the hopes of the Braves in the National League pennant race.
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.
Hook entered in baseball books as the pitcher who won the first game in Mets franchise history. On April 23, 1962, he pitched a five-hit 9–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field, giving his team their first regular-season victory after nine defeats. In that season he compiled an 8-19 mark for the horrible Mets, and led the team in complete games (13) and games started (34).
After receiving a master degree in thermodynamics, Hook retired in 1964 at age 28 to take a job with Chrysler Corporation.
Jay and his wife Joann now reside in Maple City, Michigan.
