TTM Stats
- Sent: 4/4/2022 | Received: 4/22/2022 | 18 Days
- ’83 Fleer, ’83 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Dave Hostetler, born on March 27, 1956, in Pasadena, California, made a name for himself in the baseball world primarily for his power at the plate. Standing 6’4” and weighing 210 pounds, Hostetler was known as a powerful right-handed first baseman and designated hitter during his time in Major League Baseball (MLB), particularly in the early 1980s.
Hostetler’s baseball journey began in his college days at the University of Southern California (USC), where he played for the Trojans and developed into a standout player. This was after a stint at Citrus College in California. After being drafted multiple times, he signed with the Montreal Expos when they selected him in the 4th round of the 1978 MLB Draft.
Hostetler made his MLB debut with the Montreal Expos in 1981. However, his time with the Expos was brief, and after only a few games with the team, he was traded to the Texas Rangers in January of 1982 with Larry Parrish for Al Oliver. It was with the Rangers that Hostetler truly found his footing in the major leagues.
His most notable season came in 1982, shortly after joining the Texas Rangers. He showcased his raw power, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 67 runs in just 109 games. His impressive slugging drew attention, and he was seen as a rising star in the league. Despite a powerful start, Hostetler struggled with consistency, and injuries hampered his ability to fully capitalize on his breakout season.
He found new opportunities overseas, playing in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Nankai Hawks in 1986. While his time in Japan was not as prolific as his early MLB years, Hostetler continued to contribute as a power hitter. After his time in Japan, Hostetler played briefly for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1984 before eventually retiring.
After retiring from professional baseball, Hostetler transitioned to a quieter life but remained involved in the game through coaching and mentoring. He also pursued other business ventures and became active in various community initiatives, particularly around youth baseball development. His love for the game never faded, and he continued to share his knowledge and experience with young players.
This is my second successful return from him. To see the other successful return, check out my post from Janary 2019.
The Score on Dave Hostetler – 8.0
This is a great return from Dave! The marker came out really strong on both, but I think my favorite is the 1983 Fleer card because there’s less image getting in the way. Of course the action is better on the Topps card, but the portrait styl image is always going to have a better chance of showing things off.
Thanks Mr. Hostetler! I’m giving this return an 8.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.