Dave Hostetler – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dave Hostetler’s professional baseball story is a bit of a rollercoaster. He flashed a ton of promise but had trouble sticking as a consistent force at the major league level.

Born David Alan Hostetler on March 27, 1956, in Pasadena, California, he played first base and designated hitter for a handful of MLB teams in the 1980s. His journey took him to the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates, and he even tried his luck in Japan’s pro league.

Hostetler hung up his cleats in 1988 after his last MLB game with the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 3. Over seven seasons in the majors, he put up a .229 batting average, 37 home runs, and 124 RBIs.

Sure, those numbers weren’t eye-popping, but getting to the majors at all was a big deal. He’d shined in college and the minors, especially as part of USC’s 1978 College World Series championship squad.

Hostetler’s career really shows how tough it can be for even talented players to make the leap from amateur star to pro mainstay. He bounced around different teams in the U.S. and abroad, which honestly gives you a sense of just how much commitment and flexibility a baseball life demands.

Early Life and Education

Dave Hostetler came into the world on March 27, 1956, in Pasadena, California. He spent his early years sharpening his baseball chops in that sunny Southern California environment.

He took the junior college route before finding his stride at the University of Southern California. There, he became a key player on the Trojans’ 1978 College World Series title team.

Childhood in Southern California

Growing up in Pasadena during the 1960s and 70s, Hostetler always had a ball in his hand. The great weather meant he could play baseball year-round, which definitely helped him grow as an athlete.

He stood out early as a power hitter, making a name for himself in local youth leagues around Los Angeles.

That area is loaded with baseball talent, so he faced stiff competition right from the start. It probably toughened him up for what came next in high school and college.

High School and Citrus College

After high school, Hostetler went to a junior college to keep playing ball. California’s junior college system has produced plenty of pro players, and he was hoping to be one of them.

Scouts noticed him during his time there. The San Francisco Giants drafted him in the fourth round in 1975, but he didn’t sign.

They tried again in 1976. Still, Hostetler turned them down and went back to school.

The Cleveland Indians also drafted him in the second phase that year, but he stuck with his education.

In 1977, the Giants gave it one more shot. Hostetler once again chose to keep playing as an amateur.

University of Southern California and the 1978 College World Series

Hostetler transferred to USC, joining one of the best college baseball programs around. The USC Trojans have produced a ton of major leaguers.

He played a big role on the 1978 team with future pros Dave Engle, Dave Van Gorder, and Tim Tolman. That group powered the Trojans to the College World Series in Omaha.

In the title game against Arizona State, Hostetler hit a clutch home run. That swing helped USC claim the 1978 College World Series crown.

The championship win was the high point of Hostetler’s amateur days. He proved he could deliver when it mattered most.

After that magical 1978 season, the Montreal Expos drafted him in the fourth round. This time, Hostetler decided to sign and start his pro career.

Amateur and Draft History

Dave Hostetler had a wild ride with the draft. The San Francisco Giants kept coming after him, then Cleveland took a shot, but he always chose to stick with college—until Montreal finally got his signature after his big USC year.

San Francisco Giants Draft Selections

The San Francisco Giants really wanted Hostetler. They picked him in the 4th round of the January 1975 amateur draft while he was at junior college.

Hostetler didn’t sign that year. The Giants weren’t done and picked him again in January 1976.

He passed again. They tried one last time in June 1977.

Still, Hostetler said no, choosing to finish college. That kind of patience is pretty rare for a young player.

Cleveland Indians Draft and Decision

The Cleveland Indians entered the scene in the secondary phase of the June 1976 draft. They picked Hostetler after the Giants’ second try.

Hostetler stuck with his plan and went back to school again. He really wanted that college experience.

This streak of turning down pro offers set him up for a strong run at USC.

Montreal Expos and Signing

The Montreal Expos finally got their man in the 1978 amateur draft. They took Hostetler in the 4th round, 87th overall.

By then, Hostetler had wrapped up his college career and helped USC win the College World Series.

He’d even homered in the championship game against Arizona State. That probably gave his draft stock a nice boost.

This time, Hostetler signed and started his pro journey with the West Palm Beach Expos.

Minor League Development and Achievements

Hostetler’s minor league years showed off his raw power but also exposed some growing pains at the plate. He made noise with the Memphis Chicks in 1979 and really shined with the Denver Bears, even earning American Association All-Star honors.

West Palm Beach Expos and Memphis Chicks

He kicked off his pro career in 1978 with the West Palm Beach Expos. Hostetler batted .269 with a .378 slugging percentage that first season.

The next year with the Memphis Chicks was his breakout. He hit .270, smashed 20 home runs, and drove in 114 runs while striking out 110 times.

Those 20 homers put him sixth in the Southern League for power. He led the league in RBI and got walked intentionally 14 times, which says a lot about how pitchers viewed him.

His strong year landed him a spot as a designated hitter on the Southern League All-Star team.

Denver Bears and Team Success

In 1980, Hostetler played for the Denver Bears, one of the best minor league teams around. That roster had future stars like Tim Raines, Randy Bass, and Tim Wallach.

Hostetler was the everyday first baseman, while Bass handled DH. He batted .269, hit 9 homers, and drove in 58 runs—pretty solid numbers, even if the ballpark favored hitters.

Despite the team’s dominance, he was the only infielder not picked for the American Association All-Star team.

But 1981 was a different story. Hostetler went off for a .318 average, 27 home runs, and 103 RBI. He even topped the combined home run totals of Nick Esasky and Ryne Sandberg that year.

American Association All-Star Honors

That huge 1981 season earned Hostetler an American Association All-Star nod at first base. He finished just one homer behind leader George Bjorkman and was second in RBI behind Dan Briggs, who had 110.

Hostetler kept slugging in the minors. In 1985, he led the American Association with 29 home runs and 89 RBI playing for Indianapolis and Iowa, which got him another All-Star spot as a DH.

That 1985 campaign was the peak of his minor league power. He always seemed to find ways to drive runners in, making him a real asset in the lineup.

Major League Career Overview

Dave Hostetler’s big-league career ran from 1981 to 1988. He played for three teams, put up some decent power numbers, but never quite broke through as a star.

Montreal Expos Debut and Early Performance

Hostetler made his MLB debut on September 15, 1981, with the Montreal Expos at 25 years old. He got called up for the last regular season games after the Expos had clinched.

All three of his hits that year came in the final regular-season game on October 4 against the New York Mets. He went 3-for-6, including a home run off Pete Falcone—Montreal’s only run in a 2-1 loss.

That short but sweet debut gave the Expos some hope for their young first baseman. But things changed quickly.

On March 31, 1982, Montreal traded Hostetler and Larry Parrish to the Texas Rangers for veteran outfielder Al Oliver. That deal turned out to be a big moment for Hostetler’s career.

Texas Rangers Power Surge and Notable Seasons

Hostetler’s best MLB years came with the Texas Rangers from 1982 to 1984. He didn’t play his first game until May 29, 1982, but still led the team with 22 home runs and drove in 67 runs.

In 1982, he hit .232 as the main first baseman. He showed off his power but also struck out 113 times in just 418 at-bats, which was a bit of a red flag.

Things dipped in 1983. Hostetler managed only 11 homers in 94 games, and his strikeout rate got even worse. Rookie Pete O’Brien took over at first base, pushing Hostetler into the DH spot.

Fans in Texas hoped he’d become a power bat like Dave Kingman, but it just didn’t happen. He started strong, faded fast, and never quite reached his potential with the Rangers.

Pittsburgh Pirates and Final MLB Games

After some time in the minors and a stint in Japan, Hostetler got one more shot in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1988. His last MLB game came on May 3, 1988, against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That short run with the Pirates was the end of his big-league days. He played in just six games for Pittsburgh, mostly as the club looked at other options at first base.

Hostetler’s final MLB stats showed a career that never quite hit its stride: .229 average, 37 home runs, and 124 RBI in 255 games. There were glimpses of power, but the consistency just wasn’t there.

He retired at 32, spending most of 1988 with the Buffalo Bisons in the American Association. Hostetler batted only .187 in 84 minor league games, backing up Randy Milligan and Orestes Destrade.

International and Late Career

Hostetler took his career all the way to Japan before coming back for one last shot at American baseball. He played for the Nankai Hawks and adapted to a new style of play. Later, he joined the Buffalo Bisons, which turned out to be the final stop in his decade-long journey.

Nankai Hawks and the Pacific League in Japan

Dave Hostetler signed with the Nankai Hawks in Japan’s Pacific League in 1986. For an American first baseman, that was a big change.

In his first year, Hostetler put up some solid numbers. He hit .285 with a .346 on-base percentage and a .480 slugging percentage.

He also belted 25 home runs that season, showing he could still hit for power. The next year, 1987, things got tougher.

Hostetler’s average slipped to .251 and his on-base percentage dropped to .332. He managed 17 home runs that year, bringing his two-year total in Japan to 42 homers.

When you look at his Japanese stats, he hit a combined .270 with 142 RBIs across both seasons. Those numbers actually stand out compared to his Major League line, where he hit just .229.

Buffalo Bisons and Return to U.S. Minor Leagues

After playing in Japan, Hostetler signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1988. He only got into six games at the big-league level that season.

He spent most of 1988 with the Buffalo Bisons in the American Association. That year, Buffalo drew over a million fans, making minor league history.

Hostetler struggled at the plate for Buffalo. He hit only .187 with a .280 on-base percentage and a .311 slugging percentage over 84 games.

Most of the time, he sat on the bench behind Randy Milligan and Orestes Destrade. He played just 14 games at first base, and spent most of his starts as the designated hitter.

With so little playing time, it was clear his pro career was winding down.

Notable Teammates and Opponents

Hostetler played with some interesting names during his late career. At USC, he shared the field with future pros like Dave Engle, Tim Tolman, and Dave Van Gorder.

In the minors, he saw even more talent. The 1980 Denver Bears had Tim Raines, Randy Bass, and Tim Wallach.

When he joined the Buffalo Bisons, he played alongside Randy Milligan, who later became a solid major leaguer. Orestes Destrade was there too, and he found success in pro baseball.

The fight for playing time was real in his last season. Milligan and Destrade got more chances, and that pretty much marked the end for Hostetler.

Skills, Playing Style, and Legacy

People mostly remember Dave Hostetler for his power at the plate, but he also struggled with strikeouts and inconsistency. He played both first base and designated hitter, which made him useful, but his defense was really just average.

Power Hitting and Home Run Reputation

Hostetler could really hit home runs. He showed off that power early, especially during his breakout 1982 season with the Texas Rangers.

In 1982, he smashed 22 home runs in just 418 at-bats as the Rangers’ main first baseman. That’s pretty impressive considering he didn’t even start playing until May 29, yet still led the team in homers.

Across different leagues, he kept showing that same raw power:

League	Years	Home Runs	Batting Average
MLB	1981-1988	37	.229
NPB (Japan)	1986-1987	42	.270
Minor League Career	1978-1988	130	.273

But that power came with a price. Hostetler struck out 113 times in 418 at-bats during 1982, and that rate only got worse later on.

All those strikeouts made it tough for him to keep a regular spot in the lineup.

Fielding and Positional Roles

Hostetler mostly handled first base and the designated hitter role. His defense was just okay, so teams valued him more for his bat.

He took over as the Rangers’ main first baseman in 1982, but by 1983, rookie Pete O’Brien had replaced him. That move said a lot about both his defense and the team’s need for more reliable hitting.

As a designated hitter, Hostetler found more opportunities. In Japan with the Nankai Hawks, he often filled the DH spot, which actually fit his strengths better than playing in the field.

Later, with the Buffalo Bisons, he only played first base 14 times and spent most of his time as a DH behind Milligan and Destrade.

Recognition, Awards, and Community Impact

Hostetler picked up a few awards during his minor league days. He made the American Association All-Star team as a first baseman in 1981, and again as a designated hitter in 1985.

He played a key role at USC, helping them win the 1978 College World Series. Hostetler even hit a clutch home run in the championship game against Arizona State.

In 1985, he led the American Association with 89 RBI and topped the league with 29 home runs. Not bad for someone in the later part of his career.

After he hung up his spikes, Hostetler stayed connected to baseball. He worked as National Coordinator of Baseball Sales for Riddell and spent time mentoring young players.

His career really shows the ups and downs that power hitters often face. There’s a lot to learn from both the promise and the limitations that defined players like him.

Personal Life and Activities After Baseball

After baseball, Dave Hostetler jumped into the business world. He found real success in sports equipment sales and youth baseball development. His post-retirement career revolved around his job with Riddell and helping out young players.

Life After Retirement

Hostetler called it a career after the 1988 season, wrapping up seven years in Major League Baseball. He played for the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

After stepping away from the field, he kept baseball in his life. He got involved in business opportunities and youth development programs.

Drawing on his playing experience, Hostetler built a new path in the sports industry. He understood what players needed and used that knowledge in equipment sales and player development.

Business Ventures and Industry Roles

Hostetler landed at Riddell, a big name in sports equipment, and built a solid post-baseball career there. By November 2007, he had become the National Coordinator of Baseball Sales.

He oversaw baseball equipment sales nationwide. That role let him combine business sense with his deep baseball background.

He worked directly with teams, leagues, and players to make sure they had the right gear. His MLB experience gave him instant credibility when talking equipment.

Hostetler really made the transition from athlete to business pro. His work at Riddell proved that ex-players can find meaningful careers in the sports world.

Community Involvement

Outside his business career, Hostetler jumped into a new role as an ambassador to youth players while working with Riddell. He really wanted to give back to the baseball community that shaped so much of his life.

He spent time with young players, sharing what he’d learned from years on the field. Sometimes he’d just talk about the game, but he also showed them the right techniques and tried to offer practical advice about what it actually takes to make it in baseball.

As an ambassador, Hostetler got to meet the next wave of baseball talent face-to-face. He seemed to enjoy helping connect professional baseball with youth programs.

You could see his commitment to young players in how seriously he took mentoring. Honestly, his work with kids stands out as a huge part of what he’s done since retiring.