THE MICHIGAN HERALD
Saturday 31 July 1959
PAPPAS COMES HOME:
ORIOLES AND TIGERS
TRADE STARTING PITCHERS
Story by Michael Fredricks
The Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles announced yesterday that they had made a trade involving their starting pitchers, the Tigers acquiring 1958 American League Rookie of the Year Milt Pappas and the Orioles taking on the contract of 27 year-old Billy Hoeft. Still only 20 years old, Pappas enjoyed a fantastic debut season in which he went 14-13 in 41 starts with an ERA of 3.05. Most believed he would form the heart of Baltimore's pitching alongside All-Star Billy O'Dell for years to come but it appears that the Orioles have been unhappy with the progress he's made this season and have decided to part ways with him.
No doubt, many fans of the ballclub will be infuriated by the decision. Not only does it make them older but it also increases their payroll, Hoeft having only agreed on a pricy three-year extension with the Tigers last August. Hoeft was signed by the Tigers as a rookie in 1952 and had spent his entire career with the organisation. He had been a major part of their quest for the pennant this season and will certainly be feeling some disappointment at being sent to the struggling Maryland team. By comparison, Pappas was said to be over the moon with the trade when informed of it after he held the White Sox to seven hits and one run in a Player of the Game performance yesterday afternoon. Born and raised in Detroit it has always been his dream to play for the Tigers and now he gets the chance in just his second year in the majors. Pappas' current contract expires at the end of the season but one would think that if he can impress through the remainder of the campaign he'll have a bright future with the organisation.
Hoeft is scheduled to make his first start for the Orioles in Boston on Tuesday, Pappas suiting up for Detroit against the Kansas City Athletics on the same afternoon...