Don Hood – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Don Hood pitched left-handed and managed to carve out a solid decade in Major League Baseball, bouncing around five teams from 1973 to 1983. Donald Harris Hood hung up his glove in 1983, finishing with a 34-35 record, a 3.79 ERA, and 374 strikeouts over 10 seasons. Born in Florence, South Carolina, Hood went in the first round of the 1969 MLB Draft to the Baltimore Orioles, kicking off a journey that took him through some of baseball’s most storied franchises.

Hood’s career tells the story of a reliable pitcher who adapted to different roles pretty much everywhere he went. He kicked things off with the Orioles, then spent his most productive years with the Cleveland Indians, and later landed with the Yankees, Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals.

He could start or come out of the bullpen, and teams seemed to like having that option.

Let’s dig into Hood’s baseball career, from promising first-rounder to seasoned veteran who knew his place in the game. His story gives a peek into the ups and downs of being a journeyman in pro baseball during the ‘70s and early ‘80s.

Early Life and Background

Donald Harris Hood grew up in Florence, South Carolina, raised by his mother. He developed a love for both music and sports early on.

At Southside High School, he stood out as a pitcher and multi-sport athlete. The Baltimore Orioles drafted him right out of high school.

Birthplace and Family

Hood was born October 16, 1949, in Florence, South Carolina. He spent his childhood in a single-parent home with his mother Betty and two stepsisters.

Without a dad around, Hood faced some early challenges. “I didn’t have a father when I grew up,” he told Baltimore’s Evening Sun in 1973. “My mother raised me and two stepsisters.”

He had to look elsewhere for guidance as a kid. “I had no one to show me certain things and you know how a kid searches for things at different ages,” he said.

Music became his escape. He’d lose himself for hours listening to different artists, always carrying around his radio or cassette player. “I turned to music. I used to listen to it three, four hours at a time,” he remembered.

Education and Youth Baseball

Hood attended Southside High School in Florence, where he played quarterback for the football team and contributed to the basketball squad.

But baseball eventually became his main focus. As a lefty pitcher, he turned into one of Southside’s most dominant arms, even if he sometimes struggled with control.

His junior year was something else. Hood struck out 131 batters in 69 innings and tossed multiple no-hitters.

During the 1967 playoffs, he threw a no-hitter with 19 strikeouts against Batesburg Leesville. That performance really hinted at his pro potential.

He racked up a 28-1 pitching record in high school. His all-around athleticism helped Southside win four state championships in different sports.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Baltimore Orioles picked Hood in the first round of the 1969 June Amateur Draft. Scout Ray Scarborough had high praise for the selection, pointing out the team’s need for left-handed pitching.

“Of course we’re glad to get him because he’s a left-hander and our organization needs left-handers,” Scarborough said. “I think we have one of the best in Don.”

Hood kicked off his pro career in the Rookie-Level Appalachian League with Bluefield that same year. He went 5-1 in nine starts, showing the Orioles they made a good call.

Jumping from South Carolina high school ball to the pros wasn’t easy, but Hood’s early success in the minors paved the way for his MLB debut with Baltimore in 1973.

MLB Debut and Baltimore Orioles Years

The Baltimore Orioles picked Hood 17th overall in the first round of the 1969 MLB Amateur Draft. After four years in the minors, he finally made his Major League Baseball debut on July 16, 1973.

That debut kicked off a 10-year MLB run as a lefty pitcher.

MLB Draft and Minor League Journey

The Orioles saw Hood’s potential and grabbed him right out of Southside High in 1969. As a first-round pick, he came in with some real expectations.

He spent four seasons in the Orioles’ minor league system, from 1969 to 1972. During that time, he worked on his left-handed pitching and fine-tuned his technique with help from the Baltimore coaches.

By 1973, Hood had improved enough to get the call to the majors at age 23.

Major League Debut in 1973

Hood made his big league debut on July 16, 1973, with the Baltimore Orioles. He was 23 when he first stepped on a major league mound.

He pitched in 8 games as a rookie, starting 4 of them. Hood finished that year 3-2 with a 3.90 ERA.

He showed some promise right away. Over 32.1 innings, he struck out 18 and walked just 6, which is pretty solid control for a rookie.

That first season included a complete game and a shutout. He even picked up his first big league save, showing he could handle different roles.

Key Games and Performances

Hood’s biggest highlight with Baltimore came in 1973 when he tossed a shutout. That outing showed he could really dominate when things were clicking.

In 1974, his role shifted and he appeared in 20 games but started only twice. He put up a 3.45 ERA in 57.1 innings, which was a step forward.

His win-loss record in 1974 was just 1-1, but the improved ERA suggested he was figuring out big league hitters.

After the 1974 season, Hood’s time with the Orioles ended. Over two years, he went 4-3 with a 3.61 ERA in 28 appearances and 89.2 innings.

Career with Cleveland Indians

In 1975, Hood landed with the Cleveland Indians in a trade and spent the bulk of his MLB career there. He pitched as both a starter and reliever, with his busiest season coming in 1977.

Arrival and Role on the Team

Don Hood arrived in Cleveland on February 25, 1975, as part of a deal that sent him and first baseman Boog Powell to the Indians. The Orioles got catcher Dave Duncan and minor leaguer Alvin McGrew.

Hood quickly became a flexible arm for the Indians’ pitching staff. He bounced between starting and relieving, depending on what the team needed.

That flexibility made him pretty valuable to the Cleveland coaches.

Frank Robinson managed the Indians while Hood was there. Robinson was breaking new ground as MLB’s first black manager.

Notable Seasons and Contributions

Hood’s best year with Cleveland was 1977. He pitched in a career-high 41 games that season.

He was a steady contributor to the pitching staff throughout his time with the Indians, logging plenty of innings from 1975 to 1979.

His numbers during these years showed he was a reliable option. He kept his spot in the rotation or bullpen as needed.

The Cleveland Indians became the team Hood spent the most time with in his career, sticking around for four and a half seasons.

Trade Details and Teammates

Hood’s run in Cleveland ended during the 1979 season. The Indians traded him to the New York Yankees for catcher and designated hitter Cliff Johnson.

That trade happened mid-season in 1979. Up until then, Hood had been a steady presence in the Indians’ pitching group.

Leaving Cleveland marked the end of his most stable stretch in the majors. Those years gave him regular playing time and helped define his career.

Moving to New York was a big change for Hood. He finished out the 1979 season with the Yankees.

Stints with New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals

Hood wrapped up his career by suiting up for three teams over his last four seasons. The 1979 trade to the Yankees gave him his highest-profile gig, then he moved on to the Cardinals and finally the Royals.

New York Yankees: 1979 Highlights

Midway through 1979, Hood joined the Yankees in a trade that sent Cliff Johnson to Cleveland. He made an immediate impact in pinstripes during his short stint.

Hood pitched in 27 games for New York that year. He posted a 3.07 ERA, working mostly out of the bullpen.

The Yankees brought him in to add some depth to their pitching staff. Hood’s steady hand helped stabilize the bullpen for the rest of the season.

He adapted quickly to life with the Yankees and brought some veteran know-how to a team fighting for position in the American League.

St. Louis Cardinals: Free Agency and Tenure

After 1979, Hood hit free agency and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on March 13, 1980. The Cardinals gave him a shot to keep pitching in the National League.

He appeared in 33 games during his only season with St. Louis. Honestly, that year with the Cardinals didn’t go as smoothly as he probably hoped.

The Cardinals released Hood on October 25, 1980, after just one season. They needed to shake up their roster for the next year.

His time in St. Louis was a bit of a transition. It showed just how competitive and uncertain MLB roster moves can be.

Kansas City Royals: Final MLB Years

Before the 1981 season, Hood signed with the Kansas City Royals, starting his last chapter in pro baseball. The Royals gave him a two-year shot to finish out his MLB career.

He pitched in 57 games for Kansas City over the 1982 and 1983 seasons, mostly as a reliever.

His last big league appearance came October 2, 1983, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in an 8-4 Royals loss. That marked the end of Hood’s 10-year run in the majors.

He finished up with a career record of 34 wins and 35 losses in 312 games. The Royals years closed out a journey that started with Baltimore a decade earlier.

Pitching Style and Career Statistics

Don Hood put together a solid 10-year career as a left-handed pitcher, finishing with a 3.79 ERA and 374 strikeouts across five MLB teams. His ability to pitch as both a starter and reliever kept him in demand throughout his career.

Pitcher Profile: Starter and Reliever Roles

Hood adapted to whatever role his team needed from 1973 to 1983. The left-handed pitcher managed to switch between starting and relieving without too much fuss.

He proved especially useful in both roles during his time with the Cleveland Indians and Orioles. His delivery as a lefty gave him an edge against left-handed hitters, making him a go-to option in certain situations.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 180 pounds, Hood relied more on control and movement than sheer speed. He focused on hitting his spots and mixing up his pitches to keep batters guessing.

That adaptability helped him stick around, even as teams shuffled him between different jobs. Versatile pitchers like Hood became more valuable as MLB teams looked for arms that could handle multiple assignments.

Key Stats: ERA and Strikeouts

Don Hood wrapped up his MLB career with a 3.79 ERA over 10 seasons. He picked up 374 strikeouts along the way.

He finished with a 34-35 win-loss record, which really shows how often managers put him in tough spots.

Hood enjoyed his best season in 1983, right before he retired, pitching for the Kansas City Royals. That year, he held a 2.82 ERA at home and did even better on the road with a 1.79 ERA.

Throughout his career, Hood managed to keep his walks down, showing more control than a lot of pitchers from his era. As he got older, his strikeout-to-walk ratio kept getting better.

His 3.79 career ERA put him in the reliable tier of pitchers from his time. He knew how to keep runs off the board, no matter what team or role he found himself in.

Season-by-Season Overview

Hood kicked off his MLB journey with the Baltimore Orioles in 1973 at just 23 years old. He later suited up for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals before calling it a career in 1983.

He hit his stride in the mid-to-late 1970s with Cleveland. The Indians trusted him in different roles, which gave him the chance to grow as both a starter and a reliever.

In 1983, his last season, Hood pitched in 27 games for Kansas City. He logged 47.2 innings and allowed 48 hits, but only handed out 14 walks.

He threw his final major league pitch on October 2, 1983, facing the Oakland Athletics. That day, he worked one inning, gave up 2 hits, and struck out 1 batter—closing out a 10-year Major League Baseball run.

Post-Playing Life and Legacy

After the Kansas City Royals released him in March 1984, Hood switched gears and became a park ranger in Lee County, Florida. He passed away on June 10, 2023, at 73, back home in Florence, South Carolina. Folks still remember him for that solid decade in the majors.

Retirement in 1983 and Life Afterwards

The Kansas City Royals let Hood go at the end of March 1984 during spring training, which closed the book on his 10-year major league career that started with Baltimore.

After stepping away from baseball, Hood found a new calling in public service. He worked as a park ranger in Lee County, Florida, and put his energy into conservation and teaching folks about the outdoors.

That move from pro baseball to park ranger was a big change. He left the spotlight behind and focused on protecting Florida’s wild places and helping people enjoy them.

Death and Community Remembrance

Don Hood died on June 10, 2023, at 73, in Florence, South Carolina. His life touched both the sports world and public service.

People in baseball circles remembered Hood as a steady lefty, a guy who pitched for several teams over ten seasons. News outlets like RIP Baseball reported his passing, mentioning how he went from first-round draft pick to the big leagues.

Florence, South Carolina, his hometown, felt the loss. Local news covered his death, and the community took pride in their native son who made it to the majors.

Recognition in Baseball History

Hood’s stats put him in that group of journeyman pitchers who really kept MLB teams going during the 1970s and early ‘80s. He finished with a 34-35 record and a 3.79 ERA over 297 games, starting 72 of them.

He notched one shutout, six saves, and 5.3 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference. Those numbers might not scream superstar, but they show he was a dependable arm, always ready to help his team.

Teams valued Hood for his flexibility. He moved between starting and relieving, and five organizations trusted him in different roles. That kind of adaptability kept him in the majors for a full decade, even if he wasn’t the flashiest pitcher.

Don Hood’s Impact and Relevance

Don Hood made history as the first lefty picked in the first round by the Baltimore Orioles, and he became the first Southside High School alum to reach the majors. Five teams and a decade later, he stood out as a key figure in South Carolina baseball.

Influence on Teams and Fellow Players

Hood made a splash with his rookie season finale in 1973. He threw a complete game shutout against the Detroit Tigers on September 26 at Memorial Stadium. The Associated Press wrote, “Rookie Don Hood handcuffs Detroit,” as he tossed a two-hitter in the 4-0 win.

That outing helped the playoff-bound Orioles grab their sixth straight victory. Hood only allowed a leadoff single to Tony Taylor and then kept Detroit quiet for six innings.

Later, with Kansas City, he showed real grit. After a demotion in 1982, Hood bounced back and spoke honestly about it. “I think a lot of people gave up on me. I had something to prove to myself, being sent down. I gave myself a kick in the fanny.”

His attitude rubbed off on his teammates. He said, “It’s an incentive when somebody says nobody wants you. I’ve matured a lot, and the things that bothered me before don’t now. I’m very happy, and I’ve learned that baseball is a fun game.”

Mentions in Baseball Media and Reference Sites

You’ll find Hood’s stats and story on a bunch of baseball sites. Baseball Almanac covers his career in detail, especially his spot as Baltimore’s first left-handed first-round pick.

His 1974 Topps rookie card (#436) still pops up in collections. That card marks his jump into the majors after his strong 1973 debut.

Modern sites like Baseball-Reference.com and StatsCrew.com keep a full record of his 10 years in the big leagues. They list his 374 career strikeouts and his time with five different clubs.

MLB Trade Rumors and RIP Baseball wrote about his passing in June 2023, highlighting his first-round draft status and his long run in Major League Baseball.

Connection to South Carolina Baseball

Hood really put South Carolina baseball on the map in the majors. He grew up in Florence, South Carolina, and went to Southside High School. The Baltimore Orioles picked him 17th overall in the 1969 draft, which is no small feat.

His rise made things possible for other South Carolina players who came after him. Hood was the first Southside High School graduate to make it to Major League Baseball, setting a new standard for the school’s athletes.

When he finished his baseball career, Hood didn’t forget where he came from. He worked as a Park Ranger in Lee County, Florida, but he always kept his South Carolina roots close, even after leaving the game.

Hood’s death on June 10, 2023, hit the South Carolina baseball community hard. Local funeral homes and baseball organizations honored what he did for the state’s baseball scene. His story still inspires young players from Florence and all over South Carolina.