Butch Hobson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Butch Hobson’s name probably doesn’t pop up with the greats, but his eight-year Major League Baseball run shows the grit of a guy who just wouldn’t quit. Born Clell Lavern Hobson Jr. in 1951, he grew up in Alabama and made a solid mark as a third baseman, playing for three different teams before calling it quits in 1982.

Hobson started out with the Boston Red Sox, where he spent most of his career from 1975 to 1980. After that, he had short runs with the California Angels in 1981 and the New York Yankees in 1982.

Fans remember his power at the plate, but he also had some rough times in the field, which kind of stuck to his reputation. Sure, he only hit .248 over his career, but he slugged 98 home runs and drove in 397 runs. That 1977 season? He set Red Sox records for a third baseman.

The cool thing about Hobson’s story is that he didn’t just disappear after his playing days. Instead, he dove into managing and turned into one of the most successful managers in independent league baseball. He even became the first manager in modern independent baseball history to reach 1,500 wins.

It’s wild to think he went from a backup college football quarterback to an MLB player to a managerial legend. Baseball careers really do take all sorts of twists.

Butch Hobson’s MLB Career Overview

Clell Lavern “Butch” Hobson Jr. played eight seasons in the majors from 1975 to 1982. He finished with a .248 batting average, 98 home runs, and 397 RBIs over 738 games.

He played for three teams, but his best years came as the Boston Red Sox’s go-to third baseman.

Debut and Early Years with the Boston Red Sox

Hobson made his major league debut on September 7, 1975, for the Boston Red Sox. He became the first Bessemer High School grad to reach the majors.

The Red Sox picked him in the eighth round of the 1973 draft, 185th overall. He worked his way up through the minors before getting called up late in the 1975 season.

Boston quickly made him their regular third baseman. Standing 6’1″ and weighing 193 pounds, Hobson batted and threw right-handed.

His defense at third helped him stick on the roster. As he got more at-bats, his offense started to pick up too.

Key Seasons and Milestones

Hobson really turned heads during the year he hit 30 home runs. It’s kind of a quirky record—he finished his career with the fewest total home runs (98) of anyone who ever had a 30-homer season.

His best years with the bat happened while he wore a Red Sox uniform. In 1980, he had 352 plate appearances, 324 at-bats, 11 homers, and a .228 average.

Then in 1981, he got 310 plate appearances, 268 at-bats, and smacked four home runs with a .235 average.

Over his career, Hobson stayed pretty steady as a third baseman. Those 98 career homers and 397 RBIs were decent offensive contributions for his era.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1982

Hobson played his last MLB season in 1982 with the Yankees. His playing time really dropped off that year.

He only had 60 plate appearances and 58 at-bats, getting 10 hits for a .172 average and no home runs.

After that 1982 season, he wrapped up his eight-year MLB career. Nearly 740 games, three teams—he’d seen a lot.

He started with the Boston Red Sox (1975-1980), then the California Angels (1981), and finally the Yankees. That late-career shuffle is pretty common for vets winding down.

Major League Performance Metrics

Butch Hobson’s eight years in the majors gave him a .248 average, 98 home runs, and 397 RBIs. He showed flashes at third base, but also had some struggles. His WAR of -0.1 really sums up the push and pull of his career.

Batting and Offensive Statistics

Hobson peaked at the plate in 1977 with Boston. He hit .265, blasted 30 home runs, and drove in 112 runs over 159 games. That year, he even finished 23rd in MVP voting.

He showed reliable power, hitting double-digit homers in five of his eight seasons. That 1977 campaign was his best—he slugged .489 and piled up 290 total bases.

Career Offensive Highlights:

• Best Season: 1977 (.265 BA, 30 HR, 112 RBI)
• Career Totals: 634 hits, 98 home runs, 397 RBIs
• Strikeout Rate: 569 strikeouts in 2,556 at-bats

His OPS+ was 91, which means he was just a bit below average offensively. With a rOBA of .331, he brought moderate value with the bat.

Defensive Contributions

Defense at third base? That was a mixed bag for Hobson. In 1978, he had a whopping 43 errors, dropping his fielding percentage to .899.

He finished with a career fielding percentage of .934 at third, which lagged behind the league average of .953. Total Zone rating didn’t do him any favors either, showing negative values for his range and effectiveness.

Defensive Statistics:

• Career Errors: 121 errors in 651 games at third base
• Best Fielding Year: 1977 (.946 fielding percentage)
• Range Factor: Usually below league average

Still, Hobson turned 570 double plays in his career. Elbow problems messed with his throwing accuracy, which probably explains a lot of those issues.

Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and Advanced Metrics

His career WAR of -0.1 shows how his bat and glove just about canceled each other out. In 1979, he had a 1.7 WAR—that was as good as it got.

Advanced stats paint a mixed picture. The OPS+ of 91 says he was a bit below average, and the rOBA of .331 points to decent, not great, run creation.

Advanced Metric Breakdown:

• Career WAR: -0.1
• Best Single Season WAR: 1.7 (1979)
• OPS+: 91 (9% below league average)

If you stretch his numbers to a full season, he averaged 22 home runs and 87 RBIs. Not too shabby for a guy with his ups and downs.

Career Highlights and Signature Achievements

Butch Hobson had some moments that really stood out—especially that power-hitting 1977 season. His defensive issues and leadership style also shaped how people remember him in Boston.

Most Notable Moments

That 1977 season was the high point. Hobson set Red Sox records for a third baseman, going deep 30 times and knocking in 112 runs.

He became one of the most productive third basemen in Red Sox history that year. It’s pretty wild that he holds the MLB record for fewest career home runs (98) by anyone who ever had a 30-homer season.

In 1978, he hit 17 home runs and had 80 RBIs, but those 43 errors led the American League. His .899 fielding percentage was the first time in 60 years a regular dropped below .900.

That year kind of sums up his career—big bat, shaky glove.

He bounced back in 1979 with 28 home runs and 93 RBIs. Then, an elbow injury in 1980 really slowed him down for the rest of his career.

Team Impact and Leadership

Hobson’s six years with the Red Sox (1975-1980) were his best. He hit .252 with 94 home runs and 358 RBIs during that stretch.

He helped anchor the Red Sox lineup during some competitive seasons. Even with the defensive lapses, his teammates appreciated his hustle and determination.

The Red Sox traded Hobson and Rick Burleson to the Angels in December 1980. In return, Boston got Carney Lansford, Rick Miller, and Mark Clear.

He played 85 games for the Angels in 1981, hitting 4 home runs and driving in 36 runs. Hobson wrapped up his career with the Yankees in 1982, playing just 30 games.

His final MLB stats: .248 average, 98 home runs, 397 RBIs across 738 games and eight seasons.

Minor League and Early Baseball Journey

Butch Hobson started his baseball journey at Bessemer High School in Alabama and then played for the University of Alabama. The Boston Red Sox picked him up in the 1973 draft. He worked his way through the minors, showing the kind of dedication you really need to make it to the big leagues.

High School and Amateur Beginnings

Hobson played at Bessemer High School in Alabama, where he first got noticed for his athletic skills. College scouts saw his potential on the baseball field.

He kept playing at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Hobson was a dual-sport athlete there, playing both baseball and football.

He spent some time as a quarterback for the Crimson Tide in 1971, though his stats were pretty modest—just two completions.

Baseball stayed his main focus all through college. Those years at Alabama helped him get ready for the grind of pro ball.

Progression Through Minor Leagues

The Red Sox drafted Hobson in the eighth round of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft, 185th overall, straight out of Alabama.

He spent two seasons sharpening his game in the Red Sox minor league system. He kept working on his hitting and fielding.

Boston moved him up through different levels in their farm system. He mostly played third base as he developed.

All the work paid off when he got his first big league call-up on September 7, 1975. That promotion capped off his minor league climb.

Post-Retirement Involvement in Baseball

After leaving MLB in 1982, Butch Hobson stayed close to the game. He managed and coached for more than thirty years, taking on roles in the majors, minors, and independent leagues. He even led teams to championship success.

Coaching and Managerial Roles

Hobson started managing in 1987 with the Columbia Mets in the South Atlantic League. He kept moving up, managing the New Britain Red Sox from 1989-1990 and the Pawtucket Red Sox in 1991.

He got his shot as a big league manager with the Boston Red Sox from 1992 to 1994. The team put up a .472 winning percentage while he was at the helm.

After a brief stop with the Mobile BaySharks in 1995, Hobson hit a rough patch in 1996. He got arrested for cocaine possession while managing the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. The team fired him right away, and he didn’t come back to pro baseball until 1999.

He found new life in independent baseball. Hobson managed the Nashua Pride from 2000 to 2007, winning league championships in both 2000 and 2007.

He kept going with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (2008-2010) and the Lancaster Barnstormers (2011-2016), picking up another championship with Lancaster in 2014.

Hobson wrapped up with the Kane County Cougars in 2017 and the Chicago Dogs from 2018 to 2019. He became a fan favorite for his wild ejection antics—he’d sometimes pretend to hit home runs or yank bases out of the ground.

Media, Community, and Mentorship

People haven’t shared much about Hobson’s media work or involvement in formal community programs after he retired. He mostly stuck to field management and player development during his post-playing years.

Hobson spent years mentoring players as they moved through professional baseball. He managed for 28 seasons, guiding players in both affiliated and independent leagues.

Organizations like Sports Reference LLC recognized what he accomplished. They put together biographical profiles and stats that show the full scope of his career as both a player and a manager.

Legacy and Influence on Baseball

Butch Hobson’s eight-year career still sticks with baseball fans, mostly because of his reputation as a gritty, determined player. People remember his power hitting at third base, and his performances show up in baseball books and record lists.

Reputation Among Peers

Teammates and opponents respected Hobson for playing through tough injuries. In 1978, he played 133 games at third base even though he dealt with bone chips in his elbow and knee problems, which honestly, is kind of wild.

Manager Don Zimmer called Hobson a “gamer,” and that wasn’t just lip service. Zimmer kept him in the lineup, even when his defense slipped, because he trusted Hobson’s drive.

That respect didn’t fade after Hobson stopped playing. When the Red Sox made him manager in 1991, general manager Lou Gorman said, “We couldn’t risk losing such a talent in our organization.” Clearly, they valued his baseball knowledge and leadership.

Former teammates often pointed to Hobson’s work ethic as something special. He brought what some called a “football mentality to the diamond,” and that attitude made others rethink how they handled adversity and injuries in their own careers.

Recognition in Baseball Literature and Statistics

Hobson’s stats really put him in the Red Sox history books. In 1977, he smashed 30 home runs, setting a franchise record for third basemen and showing off his power during Boston’s “Crunch Bunch” era.

Baseball researchers and statisticians still talk about Hobson’s rough defensive stretch in 1978. That year, he posted a .899 fielding percentage, and for the first time since 1916, a regular player finished below .900, which makes the season stand out in stats tracked by Sports Reference LLC.

In 1977, Hobson struck out 162 times, and that number held as the Red Sox record for right-handed batters for years. Major sports info providers and baseball writers have documented this feat all over their databases.

The Society for American Baseball Research took a close look at Hobson’s career in their biographical studies. They focused on his unusual mix of football background and baseball success, and honestly, it’s helped keep his story around for fans and baseball historians alike.