Burt Hooton

From King Mustang to Major League Ace

A Richard King High School state champion, Burt Hooton went from Corpus Christi standout to one of baseball’s most accomplished pitchers. After an All-American career at the University of Texas, he became the No. 2 overall pick in the 1971 MLB Draft and won 151 games across 15 seasons with the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. An All-Star, World Series Champion, NLCS MVP, and no-hitter author, Hooton’s career is a testament to Coastal Bend excellence on baseball’s biggest stage.

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Legacy

Before he was winning games on baseball’s biggest stage, Burt Hooton was leading Richard King High School to a 4A State Championship in just the school’s second year of existence. His dominance on the mound in Corpus Christi set the tone for what would become a remarkable career.

Hooton went on to star at the University of Texas, earning All-American honors three times and later having his number retired by the Longhorns. In 1971, he became the No. 2 overall pick in the MLB Draft and one of the rare players to jump straight to the Major Leagues.

Across 15 seasons—primarily with the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers—Hooton won 151 games, earned an All-Star selection, threw a no-hitter, and helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series title in 1981, where he was also named NLCS MVP.

From Corpus Christi ballfields to championship celebrations, Hooton’s career reflects the power of local roots and national impact.