Glen Hobbie – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Glen Hobbie put together a solid eight-year run in Major League Baseball, pitching for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals between 1957 and 1964. The right-hander from Witt, Illinois, experienced both the highs and lows of big-league life, from tossing a memorable one-hitter against the Cardinals to fighting through injuries that would end up shaping his career.

Hobbie wrapped up his professional baseball journey in 1964 after his final season with the world champion St. Louis Cardinals. He stood 6-foot-2 and weighed 195 pounds, racking up 682 strikeouts while facing some of the game’s best during baseball’s golden age.

Hobbie started out in a small farming town and worked his way up through various minor league teams before landing among baseball’s elite.

His career tells the story of a kid who went from being an overmatched 19-year-old in Triple-A to a starter who, on his best days, could silence any lineup. He fought through the ranks of pro baseball, turned in strong outings against top opponents, and battled physical setbacks that eventually pushed him into retirement.

Early Life and Amateur Development

Glen Frederick Hobbie grew up in a small farming community in south-central Illinois, the ninth of ten kids. After finishing high school in 1955, he pitched for local amateur teams.

A scout noticed him and signed him to his first professional contract with the Charleston Senators.

Childhood in Witt, Illinois

Glen Frederick Hobbie was born April 24, 1936, in Witt, Illinois. Witt was a tiny town—less than 1,000 people—right in the heart of rural America.

He came from a big family, one of ten children. His parents, Herman and Anna Hobbie, raised seven boys and three girls in their Illinois home.

Herman made a living selling home and farm goods, supporting the family in their close-knit farming community.

Glen was the ninth child. Growing up with so many siblings probably taught him a thing or two about competition and teamwork—skills that would definitely help on the baseball field.

High School Baseball Career

Hobbie attended Witt High School. That’s where he got his start in organized baseball.

After graduating in 1955, he kept playing, joining a local amateur league where he sharpened his pitching.

He started organized baseball later than most pros, relying more on raw talent than fancy training.

The local league let him face tougher competition, which really got him ready for the scout who eventually noticed him.

Signing With Charleston Senators

Leonard Scheibal, a part-time scout, spotted Hobbie pitching in the local league. Scheibal saw something in the young pitcher, even though he’d started organized ball late.

Scheibal signed him for Charleston Senators GM Danny Menendez. The Senators played in the Triple-A American Association, a high level of minor league baseball.

At just 19, Hobbie signed his first pro contract with Charleston. That leap from amateur ball to Triple-A was a big one.

Signing with Charleston kicked off Hobbie’s pro baseball career. But pretty soon, he realized Triple-A baseball was a whole different world.

Minor League Journey and Progression

Glen Hobbie’s road to the majors wasn’t easy. He struggled at first in the higher leagues, but gradually found his footing in the lower minors.

His journey took him through several teams and leagues before the Chicago Cubs bought his contract in 1957.

Charleston Senators and American Association

After high school, Hobbie caught the eye of Leonard Scheibal while pitching locally. Scheibal signed him for the Charleston Senators under GM Danny Menendez.

The jump to Triple-A was rough for the 19-year-old. Hobbie went 0-4, clearly overmatched by the competition.

Menendez quickly sent him down to a lower level, where Hobbie could develop more slowly.

That experience taught Hobbie that patience and steady progress were key in pro baseball.

Stints in the Northern League and Midwest League

His demotion landed him in Superior of the Class C Northern League. He did a bit better, going 2-4, but a back muscle spasm cut his season short.

He actually treated himself by swimming in the Mississippi River every day for almost two months. Oddly enough, it worked, and the injury never came back.

In 1956, still with Charleston’s organization, Hobbie split time between two teams. He found some success with Class D Dubuque in the Midwest League, posting an 8-2 record.

A short stint with Duluth/Superior didn’t go as well—he went 0-2. Still, playing in different leagues gave him a sense of the variety in pro baseball.

Memphis Chickasaws and Southern Association

When Charleston went bankrupt in 1957, Hobbie’s career took another turn. Danny Menendez resurfaced as GM of Memphis in the Southern Association and brought Hobbie along.

Memphis turned out to be Hobbie’s breakthrough. By August 14, he’d put together a 14-11 record that caught major league scouts’ attention.

Manager Lou Klein liked what he saw, calling Hobbie “a throwback to the days when a pitcher wanted to pitch every chance he could get.”

Hobbie’s flexibility showed at Memphis. He started 19 games and came out of the bullpen 34 times, finishing with a 15-15 record—proof he’d pitch whenever needed.

Transition to the Major Leagues

The Chicago Cubs saw Hobbie’s potential and bought his contract from Memphis for $50,000 on August 14, 1957. That was a big investment, showing they believed in him.

He stayed with Memphis to finish out the 1957 season, giving him time to wrap up his minor league development.

Hobbie’s minor league journey took him from Triple-A down to Class D and back up. Each stop taught him something new and got him ready for the majors.

Playing for different teams and coaches gave Hobbie a wide range of experience. That variety really paid off when he joined the Cubs later that year.

Major League Career Overview

Glen Hobbie became a steady presence on the mound during his eight years in the majors, mostly with the Chicago Cubs from 1957 to 1964.

He notched some big moments, like one-hit shutouts and clutch games, before wrapping things up with a short run on the 1964 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.

Chicago Cubs: Breakout Seasons

Hobbie debuted in the big leagues on September 20, 1957, at Wrigley Field against Milwaukee. He was 21.

The Chicago Cubs had purchased his contract from Memphis for $50,000 after his 15-15 minor league season.

He broke out in 1958, earning his first big league win on April 17 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Hobbie showed he could both start and relieve, finishing the season 10-6 with a 3.74 ERA.

His best individual season came in 1959. On April 21, he threw a one-hitter against the Cardinals, giving up just a Stan Musial double in the seventh. He also had a 4-1 record against the tough Milwaukee Braves that year.

Career Highlights (1958-1960):

• 1958: 10-6 record, 3.74 ERA
• 1959: One-hit shutout vs Cardinals
• 1960: 16 wins (led Cubs), 20 losses

Signature Performances and Milestones

Probably his most memorable game happened July 30, 1960. While Hobbie was pitching, his wife Sharon gave birth to their son Glen Jr. Cubs officials waited until the fifth inning to tell him. He went out and finished off a 6-1 win over Pittsburgh, giving up seven hits.

He even brought some power with the bat now and then. On August 25, 1960, Hobbie hit his first career home run—a walk-off against the Pirates in a 2-1 win. He later hit two homers in a single game against the Cardinals on July 2, 1961.

Back problems started to slow him down in 1961. The pain changed his delivery and took some heat off his fastball. Still, he managed some solid outings in 1963 after pitching coach Fred Martin helped him fix his mechanics.

Notable Statistics:

• Career record: 62-81
• 17 complete games
• Multiple shutouts, including two-hitters

Trade to the St. Louis Cardinals

The Cubs traded Hobbie to the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1964 season while shuffling their roster. He made his last big league appearance on July 25, 1964, pitching briefly in relief against Philadelphia.

The move gave Hobbie a shot on a championship team. The Cardinals won the 1964 World Series, and Hobbie got his one and only championship ring, even if his on-field role was small.

He played 271 of his 284 career games for the Cubs. Moving to St. Louis marked the end of his playing days, but at least he finished with a title after years on struggling Cubs squads.

Pitching Achievements and Statistics

Glen Hobbie finished with a 62-81 record, a 4.20 ERA, and 682 strikeouts over eight seasons from 1957 to 1964. He pitched a lot of innings for some rebuilding Chicago Cubs teams in the late ’50s and early ’60s.

Wins, Losses, and Innings Pitched

Hobbie’s 62-81 record reflected his time with some rough Cubs teams. His best year was 1959, when he went 16-13 and showed he could win even with limited run support.

He consistently handled a heavy workload for Chicago. Hobbie pitched over 200 innings in three different seasons.

His busiest year was 1960, when he logged 240 innings.

Career Pitching Totals:

• Wins: 62
• Losses: 81
• ERA: 4.20
• Strikeouts: 682
• Seasons: 8 (1957-1964)

After joining the Cardinals in 1964, his workload dropped a lot. He pitched in just 21 games that year, throwing 71.2 innings with a 5.74 ERA before calling it a career.

Shutouts and Complete Games

Hobbie tossed several shutouts during his National League career, though the exact number isn’t easy to find in the records. His complete game totals fit what was expected from starters in the late ’50s and early ’60s.

The Cubs leaned on him to finish what he started, which was pretty common in that era.

His knack for going the distance made him valuable to the Cubs’ manager during those rebuilding years. Hobbie’s stamina and durability stood out, especially from 1958 to 1962.

Performances Against Top National League Teams

Hobbie regularly faced the National League’s best as a Cub. He pitched against powerhouses like the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants during their strongest years.

His 1959 season included some standout games against contenders. Even though the Cubs struggled, Hobbie held his own against lineups stacked with stars like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Stan Musial.

When he moved to St. Louis in 1964, he got a new perspective on NL competition. By then, though, his effectiveness had started to fade.

NL Statistical Rankings Throughout Career

Hobbie hit his peak in National League statistical rankings during his best seasons with Chicago. In 1959, he won 16 games, putting him among the league’s more successful pitchers—even though the team kept losing.

He put up respectable strikeout numbers for the time. Over his career, he struck out 682 batters, which shows steady production more than outright dominance. On average, he managed about 85 strikeouts per season.

Hobbie posted a 4.20 career ERA, which sat above the National League average during his playing days. That number really reflects both his own pitching and the Cubs’ defensive struggles.

He racked up enough innings to stand out as one of the league’s workhorses during his prime. Hobbie could consistently reach 200 innings, and that made him a valuable anchor in Chicago’s rotation.

Notable Games and Matchups

Glen Hobbie delivered some outstanding performances during his eight years in the majors. He threw multiple one-hitters and shutouts that showed off his best stuff. Fans probably remember his duels against Stan Musial and the St. Louis Cardinals the most, especially the near-perfect game in 1959.

One-Hitters and Shutouts

On April 21, 1959, Hobbie pitched his finest game, holding the Cardinals to just one hit in a 1-0 win. He took a perfect game into the seventh before Stan Musial ripped a double to left with two outs.

After losing the perfect game, the young pitcher showed impressive composure. “The first thing I said to myself when Stan got the hit was, ‘I’m glad he didn’t hit a lollipop, he hit my best pitch,'” Hobbie told reporters afterward.

Later that year, on September 13, Hobbie shut out the Cardinals again, this time allowing just three hits. His knack for beating St. Louis became a big part of his reputation.

In 1960, Hobbie opened the season by shutting out the world champion Dodgers on five hits. He kept rolling with a two-hit shutout over Milwaukee and another two-hit shutout against Cincinnati on July 20.

Duel With Stan Musial and Memorable Cardinals Games

Hobbie faced off against Stan Musial in some legendary moments during his career. The famous near-perfect game in 1959 stands out, with Musial breaking it up with a clean double.

The drama didn’t stop there. Musial came up again in the ninth, but Hobbie got him on a comebacker to seal the 1-0 shutout.

He earned his first major league win against his childhood favorites, the St. Louis Cardinals, on April 17, 1958. Hobbie left the game at Busch Stadium in the sixth with a 3-2 lead, and the Cubs pulled out a 4-3 victory.

Hobbie’s success against the Cardinals really became one of the highlights of his career. He kept performing well against St. Louis, and fans started looking forward to those matchups.

Chicago Cubs Highlights at Wrigley Field

Hobbie’s most memorable Wrigley Field game happened on July 30, 1960, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. While he pitched, his wife Sharon gave birth to their son Glen Jr. at the hospital.

Cubs officials didn’t want to break his concentration, so they hesitated to tell him during the game. Finally, manager Lou Boudreau let him know after the fifth inning.

That news fired up Hobbie and the rest of the team. Public address announcer Pat Pieper told the 13,365 fans that Glen had just become a dad for the first time.

Hobbie stayed locked in and finished the game, pitching a complete 6-1 victory over the Pirates. He scattered seven hits, and the Cubs scored six runs in the sixth and seventh innings after hearing the news.

On July 2, 1961, Hobbie flexed his power at Wrigley by hitting two home runs off the Cardinals’ Al Cicotte. That day, he showed he could help the team with his bat as well as his arm.

Post-1964 Career and Retirement

Glen Hobbie wrapped up his baseball career with a brief stint on the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964, closing out his eight-year run in the majors. After Chicago traded him, he struggled with ongoing shoulder issues that eventually pushed him out of pro baseball.

Brief Tenure With St. Louis Cardinals

Hobbie joined the Cardinals in August 1964 after the Cubs traded him mid-season. The Cardinals were chasing a championship, and they ended up winning the World Series that year.

His time in St. Louis was short. He pitched in only a handful of games during those last few months. The shoulder problems that had bothered him since 1961 kept slowing him down on the mound.

Even though he was on the Cardinals’ World Series roster, Hobbie didn’t contribute much. The trade to St. Louis gave him his last shot at the majors after seven seasons in Chicago.

Final Season in the International League

After 1964, the Cardinals traded Hobbie to the Detroit Tigers organization in a minor league deal. He landed in the International League, hoping to rehab his shoulder.

That injury had changed his delivery and sapped his fastball. At 28, Hobbie just couldn’t get back to the form that made him a reliable starter for the Cubs.

He tried one last time in the International League to return to the majors. The rehab didn’t take, and Hobbie never made it back.

Transition to Life After Baseball

After he retired from professional baseball, Hobbie headed back to Illinois. He settled down on a small farm near Ramsey, just about 20 miles from his hometown of Witt.

He took a job as a supervisor with the Roller Derby Association in Litchfield, Illinois. That gig let him stay close to sports, even though he was starting a whole new chapter outside of baseball.

Later on, Hobbie spent a lot of time hunting and fishing. Knee problems got in the way eventually, so he had to slow down with some of his outdoor hobbies.

He lived a pretty quiet life with his wife Sharon and their kids. Their son, Glen Jr., actually arrived during one of Hobbie’s most memorable pitching performances back in 1960.