Fred Hofmann

Who was Fred Hofmann?

Fred Hofmann, nicknamed "Bootnose," was a catcher, coach and scout in Major League Baseball, as well a player and manager in the Minor Leagues. Listed at 5 feet 11.5 inches, 175 pounds, Hofmann batted and threw right-handed. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri.

Hofmann began his baseball career as a grade school catcher in St. Louis. In the minors, he not only served as a catcher, but also as a manager. He started at a professional level with the Cedar Rapids team of the Central Association in 1915, then he served in the U.S. Navy during World War I from 1918 through 1919.

Following his service discharge, Hofmann entered the majors in 1919 with the New York Yankees, sharing duties with Muddy Ruel and Wally Schang. He was a member of the Yankees teams who won the American League pennants from 1921–23, but only was used twice as a pinch-hitter in the 1923 World Series won by the Yankees over the NY Giants in six games. His most productive seasons for New York came in 1922 and in 1923, when he appeared in 72 games while hitting .290 with career-highs in runs, RBI, hits and extrabases.