Hank Foiles – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Hank Foiles played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1953 to 1964. He moved through seven teams during a time when the game was changing fast.

The Richmond, Virginia native became known as a steady defensive catcher. He worked with many pitching staffs and earned a reputation as one of the more reliable backstops of the 1950s and early 1960s.

Foiles retired from pro baseball in 1964 after his last season with the Los Angeles Angels. He wrapped up a career that included 608 games, a .243 batting average, and a spot in the 1957 All-Star Game.

He bounced around the majors, playing for the Cincinnati Redlegs, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, and finally the Angels. Honestly, he was one of the most well-traveled players of his time.

Foiles also made a bit of baseball history as the first major leaguer to wear contact lenses. That detail really highlights the kind of forward-thinking that kept him in the game for so long.

His story is about the grind of being a catcher during an era of constant roster shuffling. It’s also about the grit it took to stick around as a journeyman in the golden age of pro baseball.

Early Life and Education

Henry Lee Foiles Jr. was born in Richmond, Virginia, on June 10, 1929. He grew up in a baseball family and developed his athletic skills at Granby High School in Norfolk.

He did well in several sports before heading off to college.

Family Background and Upbringing

Henry Lee Foiles Jr. came into the world in Richmond, Virginia, surrounded by baseball. His dad, Henry Sr., played minor-league ball in Virginia back in the 1910s.

That early exposure definitely shaped Henry’s path. The family moved to Norfolk, and that’s where Henry Jr. spent his growing-up years.

Virginia in the 1930s and 1940s was full of sports energy. His father’s baseball experience gave him a window into the pro game.

At home, athletic success wasn’t just encouraged—it was expected. Henry Jr. learned the basics of baseball young, and it set him up for what was to come.

Granby High School Achievements

At Granby High School in Norfolk, Henry Foiles Jr. stood out as a multi-sport athlete. He played center in football and earned All-Tidewater honors in 1945.

He also played defense and handled kicking duties. That kind of versatility is tough to find.

Foiles didn’t just shine in football. He brought the same drive and skill to baseball, which would later become his career.

His time at Granby put him on the map as one of the area’s top athletes. The All-Tidewater nod proved he was among the best high school football players in Tidewater, Virginia.

His achievements at Granby opened doors for his future in sports.

Influence of Foreman Field and the Oyster Bowl

Foreman Field stood out as a big-time venue for Norfolk sports during Foiles’ high school days. The stadium hosted major games and events, shaping the local sports scene.

Young athletes like Foiles found inspiration watching the talent on display there.

The Oyster Bowl, an annual football game, also played a role in the area’s sports culture. It gathered top local talent and pushed the level of competition higher.

Events like these made Norfolk a hotbed for athletic excellence. They gave young players motivation to work harder.

This competitive atmosphere helped Foiles get ready for the challenges of pro sports.

College Years at William & Mary and University of Virginia

Foiles went on to William & Mary for college, where he kept developing his baseball skills. College gave him a chance to bridge the gap between high school and the pros.

He later attended the University of Virginia, sharpening his abilities even more.

Both schools offered strong academic and athletic programs. Those experiences really helped him handle the demands of pro baseball.

His college years were key in his shift from multi-sport athlete to focused baseball player. Coaches and competition at both places helped him become a better catcher.

This foundation mattered a lot when he started his pro career in 1953.

Path to Major League Baseball

Hank Foiles’ road to the majors kicked off in 1947 when the New York Yankees signed him as an amateur free agent. Four years in the minors followed.

The Cincinnati Reds picked him in the 1951 Rule 5 draft, setting the stage for his big-league debut.

Signing with the New York Yankees

In November 1947, the Yankees saw something in Foiles and signed him as an amateur free agent. That move came after his standout sports career at Granby High in Norfolk.

Foiles had already shown his talent in several sports. He picked up All-Southern honors in football in 1946 and even played in the first Oyster Bowl at Foreman Field.

Yankees scouts noticed his baseball skills, especially his strong arm behind the plate.

Before turning pro, Foiles spent time at both William & Mary and the University of Virginia. His education went hand in hand with his sports ambitions.

The Yankees’ gamble paid off. Foiles’ defensive chops and throwing arm made him a real prospect in their farm system.

Minor League Development

Foiles spent four years grinding in the minors after joining the Yankees. That time let him polish his catching and improve his hitting.

His best minor league season came in 1954 with the Indianapolis Indians. He hit .332 with 17 homers and drove in 59 runs.

Those numbers showed what he could do with the bat. He started turning heads as one of the top catching prospects around.

His defense kept improving too. That strong throwing arm became his calling card.

The minor leagues gave him the foundation he needed for his MLB career.

Draft by Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds grabbed Foiles in the 1951 Rule 5 draft, taking him from the Yankees’ system. That draft let teams pick up prospects from other organizations.

This move finally gave Foiles a shot at the majors. The Reds saw something in him and gave him a chance.

That decision changed his career path. It took him from the crowded Yankees system to a team where he could actually compete for playing time.

Foiles made his MLB debut on April 21, 1953. He started at catcher for the Redlegs in a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

At 24, he finally reached the big leagues after nearly six years of hard work.

Major League Career Highlights

Hank Foiles built a reputation as a reliable catcher over 11 seasons in the majors. He played for nine teams between 1953 and 1964.

His career included a debut with Cincinnati, productive years in Cleveland, and an All-Star nod with Pittsburgh.

Debut with the Cincinnati Reds

Foiles broke into the majors on April 21, 1953, at age 24. He started at catcher for the Cincinnati Redlegs and helped beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3.

He had spent four years in the minors after signing with the Yankees in 1947. The Reds picked him in the 1951 Rule 5 draft, giving him his first real shot.

His time with the Redlegs was short—just five games—before the team sold his contract to the Cleveland Indians on May 13, 1953.

Even in that brief stint, Foiles showed his skills as a catcher. That debut kicked off an 11-year MLB career.

Cleveland Indians Tenure

The Cleveland Indians gave Foiles his first steady big-league job. After a short run in 1953, he returned in 1955 as backup to All-Star catcher Jim Hegan.

In 62 games that year, he hit .261. Defensively, he caught 59% of would-be base stealers—way above the league average of 47%.

The Indians entered the last week of the 1955 season in first place. Unfortunately, they stumbled in the final stretch and finished three games behind the Yankees.

His 1954 minor league season with Indianapolis helped get him noticed. He hit .332 with 17 homers and 59 RBIs, showing the offense he’d later bring to the majors.

Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Season

Foiles landed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 15, 1956, in a trade for Preston Ward. He found his best MLB years in Pittsburgh, playing over 100 games in both 1957 and 1958.

The 1957 season was his peak. He racked up career-highs: 76 hits, a .270 batting average, 9 home runs, and 36 RBIs.

That year, he got picked as a reserve for the All-Star Game. He pinch-hit in the ninth inning, singled off Billy Pierce, and scored a run as the National League rallied but lost 6-5.

Foiles kept shining on defense in Pittsburgh. In 1958, he led NL catchers by throwing out 50% of base stealers. That arm made him valuable everywhere he played.

Team Transitions and Key Moments

After his hitting dipped in 1959, Smoky Burgess took over as Pittsburgh’s regular catcher. From 1960 to 1964, Foiles bounced around several teams.

His defense kept him in demand as a backup, even when his bat cooled off.

Kansas City Athletics and Detroit Tigers

The Kansas City Athletics picked up Foiles in 1960, but he only played six games before being traded back to Cleveland.

With the Indians, he appeared in 24 games that season. By now, his role was clearly that of a journeyman catcher.

The Detroit Tigers picked him up to finish out 1960. That made it three teams in one year—a bit wild, but it shows how teams needed his catching skills for spot duty.

His time with Detroit was short, but it was part of a pattern that marked his later career.

Baltimore Orioles and Notable Events

On November 28, 1960, the Baltimore Orioles drafted Foiles from the Tigers in the Rule 5 draft. This finally gave him a bit more stability for the 1961 season.

In Baltimore, Foiles worked as a backup catcher. His defense stayed sharp, and he brought some veteran presence to the pitching staff.

Spending a full season with the Orioles was a welcome change. He hadn’t had much stability in the years before.

After that year, he moved on again. His time in Baltimore was one of his last real shots as a regular backup.

Final Seasons with Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels

Foiles returned to the Cincinnati Reds in 1962, coming full circle to the team where he started.

He played two seasons with the Reds, keeping his batting average around .243—right in line with his career numbers.

The Los Angeles Angels signed him as a free agent for his last two seasons. He played there in 1963 and 1964, mostly as a backup.

His final big-league game came on September 24, 1964, at age 35. The Angels gave him a fitting sendoff, letting him use his defensive skills right up to the end.

Statistical Overview and Player Profile

Hank Foiles put together a solid 11-year major league career as a catcher from 1953 to 1964. He hit .243 with 46 home runs and 166 RBIs in 608 games.

Seven different teams valued his defensive skills behind the plate. His best years definitely came when he served as Pittsburgh’s main catcher in the mid-1950s.

Career Batting and Fielding Statistics

Foiles racked up 353 hits in 1,455 at-bats during his big league run. His offensive numbers pretty much matched what you’d expect from a defense-first catcher in the 1950s.

Key Offensive Statistics:

• Batting Average: .243
• Home Runs: 46
• RBIs: 166
• On-base Percentage: .321
• Games Played: 608

He had his best offensive season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1957. That year, he posted career highs with 76 hits and a .270 batting average, chipping in 9 home runs and 36 RBIs.

On defense, Foiles finished with a .986 fielding percentage. His strong throwing arm stood out, especially in 1955 with Cleveland, when he threw out 59% of would-be base stealers. That number easily topped the league average of 47% for catchers that season.

Notable Achievements and Records

Foiles earned an All-Star selection in 1957 as a reserve catcher for the National League. He came up as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning, singled off Billy Pierce, and scored a run in the National League’s 6-5 loss.

In 1958, he led National League catchers with a 50% caught stealing percentage. That really showed off his knack for controlling the running game from behind the plate.

Foiles made baseball history as the first major league player to use contact lenses. That little innovation helped him keep his defensive edge, even with vision issues.

He might’ve been the only major league catcher to throw out Jackie Robinson twice in a single game. Not everyone can say they did that—his quick release and accuracy to second base made it possible.

Leadership Behind the Plate

As a catcher, Foiles brought defensive stability everywhere he went. Pitching staffs trusted him, and even as his bat cooled off later in his career, teams still wanted him as a backup.

His throwing arm stayed his top asset year after year. That 59% caught stealing rate in 1955 and his ongoing success against base runners really showed his defensive consistency.

Between 1960 and 1964, Foiles played for seven different teams, mostly as a backup. His experience and defensive skills kept him in the mix, even when his offense wasn’t what it used to be.

He had his most productive stretch with Pittsburgh from 1956 to 1959. In both 1957 and 1958, he played over 100 games, giving the Pirates a reliable defensive presence and a little bit of offense.

Legacy, Honors, and Post-Baseball Life

Hank Foiles left a mark that went way beyond his playing days. He earned recognition in several sports halls of fame and always stayed connected to his Virginia roots.

After retirement, he lived with quiet dignity and kept close ties to the Hampton Roads community that shaped his early athletic success.

Baseball Card and Legal Actions

Foiles showed up on plenty of baseball cards during his 11-year career. Some of his most notable cards came from Topps sets in the mid-1950s through the early 1960s, usually featuring him in Pittsburgh Pirates and other team uniforms.

Collectors who focus on 1950s National League players really go after his cards. That 1957 All-Star Game appearance made his cards from that year especially popular with memorabilia fans.

Foiles, unlike a lot of former players, didn’t get involved in legal battles over licensing rights or card royalties. He seemed to take a practical view of his baseball legacy, caring more about relationships than squeezing money from his playing days.

Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Other Recognitions

Foiles earned a spot in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, which really cemented his status as one of the state’s all-time great athletes. That honor recognized both his pro baseball career and his standout high school days at Granby High School in Norfolk.

The Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame also inducted Foiles for his impact on local sports. At Granby High, he starred in football, baseball, basketball, and track, which earned him a place in the Granby High School Hall of Fame.

In 2008, The Virginian-Pilot newspaper ranked Foiles as the 39th greatest athlete in South Hampton Roads history. That recognition really shows how much he meant to the regional sports scene and how he inspired young athletes.

Community Impact and Later Years

After he retired from baseball in 1964, Foiles settled into a quieter life in Newport News, Virginia. He stayed close to his Hampton Roads roots, spending his post-baseball years in a local retirement community.

He loved sharing stories about his playing days. Sometimes you could catch him reminiscing with neighbors or anyone who wanted to listen.

Foiles married Joyce Zoby when they were both just 19. They stuck together until her death in 2012.

Their sons, Hank III and Marc, traveled with him during his career. They even got to meet some of the game’s legends along the way.

He kept up friendships with baseball greats like Joe DiMaggio. That connection lasted right up until DiMaggio’s death in 1999.

Foiles passed away on May 21, 2024, at age 94. He left behind a legacy as someone who played hard every game and took real pride in his blue-collar approach to professional baseball.