Hitchcock was the Tigers’ primary shortstop in his first season, but spent 1943-45 in the Army Air Force, receiving the Bronze Medal for his service in the Pacific. The only team for which he played more than a hundred games in a season was the Athletics, in 1950 (second base) and 1952 (third base); he led AL third basemen in errors in 1952. He later managed, finishing highest with the fourth-place 1963 Orioles. He was also a coach and a scout, and was president of the Southern Association from 1971 to 1980. His brother, Jim, played briefly with the Braves in 1938.
