R.I.P. Chuck Hinton, Washington Senators player, Howard University baseball coach

The last Washington Senators player to hit .300 for a season has died. Chuck Hinton wore #32 from 1961-64 with the expansion Senators and hit .310 in his second season.

Hinton’s statistics during his D.C. career from Baseball Reference:

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB
545	2202	1961	275	549	83	30	49	217	92	30	208	303	.280	.347	.428	.775	113	839	53	3	11	19	10

Hinton was an All-Star in 1964. He would play for the Cleveland Indians and California Angles during the remainder of his career.

The Rocky Mount, N.C. native returned to Washington in 1971 though, becoming the head baseball coach at Howard University for 28 years.

During his tenure, Hinton led the Bison to their first ever MEAC title and was responsible for the careers of former Major league standouts Milt Thompson and Jerry Davis.

Others who benefited from Hinton’s mentoring include boxing promoter Rock Newman and broadcaster Glenn Harris.

Hinton also founded the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and was a vice president at the time of his death. From the MLBPAA “About Us” page:

The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) was formed in 1982 in order to promote the game of baseball, raise money for charity, inspire and educate youth through positive sport images and protect the dignity of the game through former players. A nonprofit organization, the MLBPAA establishes a place where a player’s drive for excellence and achievement on the field can continue long after they take their last steps off the professional diamond.

Hinton was present at the “baseball is back” announcement at the City Museum in September 2004. I don’t know why the Washington Nationals did not bring Hinton into the fold. From all indications, Hinton was a credit to the sport. It is unfortunate he was not as well known as he should have been.

Hinton was inducted Washington Hall of Stars. He authored My Time at Bat in 2002 which is available from Amazon.

TWITTER TRIBUTES

With great sadness we announce the passing of our founder Chuck Hinton. In 1982, his alumni was born. His legacy will remain, #RIP

— MLBPAA (@MLBPAA) January 28, 2013

RIP Chuck Hinton, a Washington Senator All-Star and former Howard University baseball coach. Damn good man #Nationals #MLB

— thom loverro (@thomloverro) January 28, 2013

Saddened to hear of the passing of Chuck Hinton, former Wash. Senator, founder of the MLB Players Alumni Assoc. and Howard U baseball coach.

— Vincent C. Gray (@mayorvincegray) January 28, 2013

Former Wash Senator Chuck Hinton w/announcer Phil Wood at RFK Stadium 50th anniv celeb – Wash Conv Ctr, Nov 2011. twitter.com/DCSportsEnt/st…

— Events DC (@DCSportsEnt) January 28, 2013

APPRECIATIONS

Chuck Hinton (1934-2013): An Appreciation – D.C. Baseball History
Jim Hartley got to know Hinton and writes about him.

Chuck Hinton: Remembering a good guy – – D.C. Baseball History
Long-time D.C. sportswriter Dick Heller shared an embarrassing anecdote about himself while remembering Hinton.

Chuck Hinton, last Washington Senator to hit .300, dies at 78 – The Post
It took a while, but there is finally an obituary from The Post and it is a good one.