Yankees History: Myril Hoag Suffers Brain Clot in Collision
By David Hill
It seemed like any other outfield collision, where both Yankees outfielders Joe DiMaggio and Myril Hoag were fine. Two days later, Hoag was hospitalized with a brain clot.
Outfield collisions are always frightening occurrences. Two players, running at full speed without realizing the other is there, can lead to horrific injuries. Even when a player appears to be fine, complications from the collision can appear days later. That was the case for Yankees outfielder Myril Hoag, after he and fellow outfielder Joe DiMaggio ran into one another on this day in 1936.
The play began innocently enough. In the sixth inning, Tigers outfielder Goose Goslin drove a ball into the right center gap. Both DiMaggio and Hoag gave chase, looking to snare the drive. However, they ran into one another, with Goslin sprinting around the bases for an inside the park home run.
Both players would be knocked unconscious, although they appeared fine when they came to. DiMaggio remained in the game, while Hoag was taken out for precautionary reasons. However, Hoag played the following day and recorded a base hit, seemingly over any ill effects from his run in with the Yankees future legend.
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That is, Hoag appeared to be in perfect health until he collapsed in his hotel room on the 30th. Rushed to Harper Hospital, the outfielder was diagnosed with a brain clot. Although his emergency operation was successful, he would miss the rest of the year due to his injuries.
Fortunately, Hoag was able to continue his career. He became a semi-regular for the Yankees the following year, and was traded to the St. Louis Browns after the 1938 World Series. Hoag had his only All Star season with the Browns, as he produced a .295/.329/.421 batting line with ten homers and 23 doubles.
The collision would come back to haunt Hoag later in life. He was discharged from the US Army Air Corps in World War Two due to his headaches and bouts of dizziness because of his injuries. Hoag was still able to play baseball however, playing two more years in the majors. Afterwards, he became a minor league pitcher, spending five more seasons in the minors.
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Although Myril Hoag seemed fine after his collision with fellow Yankees outfielder Joe DiMaggio on this day in 1936, he was not. Two days later, his injury would reveal itself in a frightening manner.