| Jack Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: December 25, 1938 Burlington, Iowa |
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| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| April 13, 1962 for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 10, 1969 for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win-Loss | 32-40 |
| Saves | 20 |
| Earned run average | 4.53 |
| Teams | |
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Jack Edwin Hamilton (born December 25, 1938 in Burlington, Iowa) was a Major League Baseball pitcher, known primarily for being the pitcher who beaned the young Boston Red Sox star Tony Conigliaro in 1967.
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Originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as a free agent, he debuted as a starter for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1962 and posted a 9-12 record with an earned run average of 5.09. He showed more promise pitching out of the bullpen, and spent most of his career as a relief pitcher until his retirement in 1969, although he was converted back to a starting pitcher for the 1966 and 1967 seasons.
In 1967, Hamilton was enjoying one of the best seasons of his career when he was traded by the New York Mets to the California Angels. On August 18, the Angels were playing the Boston Red Sox in a game that would have important implications for the American League pennant race. The game became a turning point in the careers of two players. Facing Red Sox outfielder Tony Conigliaro, who was set in a stance close to home plate, Hamilton hit Conigliaro with a pitch on the left cheekbone that fractured his cheekbone and eye socket and severely damaged his retina. Conigliaro nearly died, and the damage to his vision kept him off the field the remainder of the year and all of 1968. He made a promising-but-brief comeback in 1969-1970 until his vision problems returned, which eventually forced his early retirement from baseball in 1975 at age 30. Hamilton never fully recovered, either --- unwilling to pitch inside for fear of severely injuring another batter, Hamilton's strikeout rate declined, his opponents' batting average rose, and his earned run average soared. He retired in 1969, finishing his career with the Chicago White Sox.
Hamilton lives in Branson, Missouri with his wife, Janyce, a son and two daughters. Since his retirement from the Major League, he has owned several restaurants in Branson. Hamilton and his family run a restaurant called Jack's Plaza View Restaurant.
Accomplishments
Notable statistics
Statistics