Former big league player, coach, and manager Billy Hunter passed away at age 97 earlier this week, the Orioles announced. Long associated with the Orioles organization for most of his career, Hunter was the last surviving player who played for both the St. Louis Browns (the Orioles’ previous incarnation) and for the franchise’s first season in Baltimore in 1954.
A veteran of six MLB seasons overall, Hunter made his big league debut with the Browns in 1953 and was an All-Star as a rookie, quickly gaining notice for his strong glovework at shortstop. Following the now-Orioles’ 1954 debut season, the club included Hunter as part of the largest trade ever in terms of pure volume — a 17-player swap between the Orioles and Yankees that sent Hunter to the Bronx as part of a trade package that also included future Cy Young Award winner Bob Turley and World Series perfect game hero Don Larsen.
Hunter saw a good chunk of playing time at shortstop in 1955, but the Yankees went with longtime shortstop Phil Rizzuto down the stretch and into the postseason. Shifted into more of a clear backup role in 1956, Hunter nevertheless earned a ring for his contributions to the Yankees’ championship season, though he didn’t see any action during the 1956 World Series. New York then sent Hunter to the Athletics that offseason as part of another gigantic deal, this time a 14-player swap that saw such notables as Clete Boyer, Bobby Shantz, and Art Ditmar head to the Yankees. Hunter spent parts of the 1957 and 1958 seasons with the A’s, and finished his Major League career with 76 games with the Indians in 1958.
After a year of minor league ball, Hunter transitioned into a scouting role, and then worked as a minor league manager in the Orioles’ farm system. This work led to a job as Baltimore’s third base coach, a role Hunter held from 1964-77. He left the coaching staff in June 1977 to become the Rangers’ new manager, and Texas promptly went 60-33 with Hunter in the dugout. Though the Rangers still won 87 games in 1978, Hunter was fired before the final day of the regular season. That was his last gig in pro baseball, as Hunter went onto become a baseball coach and then athletic director at Towson State University.
Hunter appeared in 630 career games and hit .219/.264/.294 over 2052 plate appearances in the majors. His career resume includes that first-year All-Star nod, as well as three World Series titles — his 1956 ring with the Yankees, and two as a coach with Baltimore in 1966 and 70. The Orioles inducted Hunter into their franchise Hall of Fame in 1996.
We at MLB Trade Rumors send our condolences to Hunter’s family, friends, and loved ones.