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 Orioles to put Hoiles on waivers
Posted: Friday April 02, 1999 05:52 PM
ATLANTA (AP) -- The Baltimore Orioles gave up Friday on Chris Hoiles, the catcher whose career was hurt by injuries. The Orioles said they will ask waivers on him Monday for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. The 34-year-old Hoiles was offered another job within the organization. Hoiles was guaranteed $3.7 million this season in the final year of a five-year deal. He concludes his Orioles career in ninth place on the team's career list with 151 homers and eighth with a .467 slugging percentage. "In all my years in baseball, this was singularly the toughest thing I have had to do," Orioles manager Ray Miller said. "It is my sincere hope that Chris stays with the Orioles because the goal of every organization is to surround itself with quality people. "Chris Hoiles is one of the most professional players and classiest men that I have ever had the honor of being associated with." Hoiles hit .262 with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs in 267 at-bats last season. He caught in 83 games. With his hip and lower back unable to withstand the rigors of catching, Hoiles hoped to remain with the team as a first baseman and designated hitter. But the Orioles have Will Clark at first base and are expected to use Willis Otanez as their right-handed DH. Otanez is out of options and would have to clear waivers if assigned to the minor leagues. He is nine years younger than Hoiles and had 104 RBIs with Class AAA Rochester last season. Hoiles' finest year came in 1993 when he batted .310 in 126 games with 28 doubles, 29 homers and 82 RBIs. Last August, Hoiles became the ninth major leaguer to hit two grand slams in a single game, performing the feat at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.
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