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La Marr Hoyt
Dewey La Marr Hoyt
Born: Jan. 1, 1955 in Columbia, S.C.
Debut: 1979 | Pos: P
H: 6'1" | W: 222 | B: R | T: R
| Yr | W | L | G | SV | IP | SO | ERA |
| 8 | 98 | 68 | 244 | 10 | 1311.1 | 681 | 3.99 |
>> Visit the La Marr Hoyt biography on Baseball Almanac for complete statistics.
La Marr Hoyt had a brief but controversial career in major league baseball and left behind career statistics that will always raise questions of "What if?"
His career lasted for parts of eight seasons. In that short time, he complied a 98-68 record and a 3.99 earned run average. In short, he was one of the most dominant pitchers of the time. However, drug problems and a suspension from the league cut his career short.
Hoyt had been a part of the New York Yankees' system, toiling away in the minor leagues. He ended up with the Chicago White Sox in April 1976 as part of a deal that sent Bucky Dent to New York.
Following two seasons in which he finished with 9-3 records, Hoyt got his chance as a starter with the Chicago White Sox in 1982. In his first full season as a starter, Hoyt finished with a 19-15 record and a 2.52 earned run average in 239.2 innings pitched. His 19 wins marked the first time that a White Sox pitcher had held a share of the lead in wins in the American League.
His success hit its highest level in 1983 when he finished with a 24-10 record and a 3.66 earned run average in 260.2 innings pitched. Hoyt allowed just 1.07 walks per game -- the lowest total for a season in the American League since Tiny Bonham's 0.96 in 1942. The accomplishments were enough to earn Hoyt the Cy Young Award. Hoyt also pitched the White Sox to their only win the American League Championship series in 1983, a 2-1 victory over Baltimore.
Pitching for San Diego in 1985, Hoyt pitched to a 16-8 record and a 3.47 ERA. He allowed just .86 walks per game. He also appeared in the only All-Star Game of his career in 1985 and was name its MVP.
Hoyt's pitching career came to an abrupt halt in 1987. He was suspended for a full season by Major League Baseball after three separate drung infractions. Hoyt received an invitation to try out with the White Sox following a 45-day prison stay in 1988.
However, Hoyt was arrested again after law enforcement officials discovered marijuana and cocaine in his Columbia, S.C., apartment. Hoyt began his second prison term in February 1988.
At last reports, he was working in a sporting goods store in Columbia, S.C.