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William Clarence "Cal" Hawk (October 20, 1847 – December 16, 1899) was an American professional baseball player in the 1870s. He played as a pitcher for the Oil City Senecas, the New Castle Neshannocks and the Bradford team. In 1873, he became the first pitcher to receive a stated salary, being paid $62 per month.[3] He has been called "the first real professional hurler the game ever had."[4] In 1899, the Sporting Life reported that he was "one of the first twirlers to pitch a curve ball, which in his time was considered a wonderful feat."[5]
| Cal Hawk | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: October 20, 1847[1][2] Leechburg, Pennsylvania | |
| Died: December 16, 1899 (aged 52) Freeport, Pennsylvania | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Hawk retired from professional baseball in 1877, though he continued to participate in games at Freeport, Pennsylvania.[5] Hawk was employed by Guckenheimer & Bros. distillery in Freeeport after retiring from baseball. While at work, he fell on his head onto a cement floor from a height of approximately 12 feet. The concussion from the fall led to traumatic meningitis, and Hawk died at his Freeport home, in December 1899 at age 52.[5][6] He was buried at the Freeport Cemetery.[7]
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