Hoey an Oriole

August 24, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hamilton’s Hoey a Baltimore Oriole
Debuted against Twins August 23

BALTIMORE, MD—Former Rider University pitcher James Hoey of Hamilton was called up to the Baltimore Orioles major league club from the Double A Bowie Baysox club Wednesday and made his major league debut Wednesday night against the Minnesota Twins.

The 6’6”, 220 pound Hoey entered the seventh inning with two runners on base. He walked Torii Hunter, before striking out Jason Kubel to end the inning and his major league debut.

Hoey began the season in a low Single A league in Delmarva, moved up to a higher A in Fredericksburg, before moving up to AA Bowie August 1. Hoey had missed almost an entire year after “Tommy John” surgery in 2004. At Bowie Hoey only pitched nine innings in eight games but had four saves and 11 strikeouts

Hoey spent 27 games with the Delmarva Shorebirds where he was 2-1 with 18 saves and a 2.54 ERA. Opposing batters hit just .175 off him, and he was named to the 2006 South Atlantic League Northern Division all-star team.  The day following the game, Hoey was promoted to the Frederick Keys in Maryland (high single A-Carolina League). Following his promotion to Class A Frederick, Hoey logged 16 strikeouts in just 14.0 innings to go with only five walks. Hoey was also perfect in 11 save opportunities as he compiled a 0.64 ERA with the Keys.

 Hoey was selected in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in 2003 following his junior season at Rider, when he was a first-team All-New Jersey selection. Hoey won his final five decisions at Rider and finished 6-4 with a 2.24 earned run average as a junior.

In his three seasons at Rider Hoey won 12 games and saved 10. He appeared in 23 games as a sophomore in 2002, a Rider record.

Hoey is a 2000 graduate of Hamilton West High School, where he was an All-State selection and the New Jersey Pitcher of the Year. 

Hoey joins former Rider teammate Kevin Barry in the major leagues. Barry is currently pitching for the Atlanta Braves.

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