Jack Hamilton

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for the Canadian bank robber and associate of John Dillinger, see John Hamilton (gangster)
Jack Hamilton
Pitcher
Born: December 25, 1938
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 13, 1962
for the Philadelphia Phillies
Final game
August 10, 1969
for the Chicago White Sox
Career statistics
Win-Loss     32-40
Saves     20
ERA     4.53
Teams
Philadelphia Phillies (1962-1963)
Detroit Tigers (1964-1965)
New York Mets (1966-1967)
California Angels (1967-1968)
Cleveland Indians (1969)
Chicago White Sox (1969)
Career highlights and awards

Jack Edwin Hamilton (born December 25, 1938 in Burlington, Iowa) was a Major League Baseball pitcher, notable mainly for being the pitcher that beaned the promising young Boston Red Sox star Tony Conigliaro in 1967.

Contents

[edit] Professional career

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.

[edit] Tony Conigliaro incident

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 (according to him) accidentally 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.

[edit] Personal life

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.

[edit] Career highlights

Accomplishments

Notable statistics

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Statistics