Chuck Hostetler - The Minor Leagues

The Minor Leagues

Born in 1903 in McClellandtown, Pennsylvania, Hostetler was considered a great prospect with the Boston Braves, but he was released in 1929. He later played for the Akron Tyrites in the Central League in 1929, hitting .360 in 104 games. He next played later for the Tulsa Oilers in the St. Louis Browns organization, and then in the Washington Senators farm system.

Eventually, Hostetler says, "I gave up the idea of playing in the majors." He noted: "When a fellow reaches 35 the thought of playing in the majors is wishful thinking." After nine years in the minor leagues, Hostetler retired—sort of. He left the minor leagues and took on various industrial jobs. But he kept one foot in baseball, playing four or five games a week at semi-pro ball in Wichita, Kansas, and Texas, when his work schedule permitted.