| Cal Hawk | |
| Position: | Pitcher |
| Birth Date: | October 20, 1847[1] [2] |
| Birth Place: | Leechburg, Pennsylvania |
| Death Place: | Freeport, Pennsylvania |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Finalleague: | MLB |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Highlights: |
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William Clarence "Cal" Hawk (October 20, 1847 – December 16, 1899) was an American professional baseball player in the 1870s. He played as a pitcher for the Oil City Senecas, the New Castle Neshannocks and the Bradford team. In 1873, he became the first pitcher to receive a stated salary, being paid $62 per month.[3] He has been called "the first real professional hurler the game ever had."[4] In 1899, the Sporting Life reported that he was "one of the first twirlers to pitch a curve ball, which in his time was considered a wonderful feat."
Hawk retired from professional baseball in 1877, though he continued to participate in games at Freeport, Pennsylvania. Hawk was employed by Guckenheimer & Bros. distillery in Freeeport after retiring from baseball. While at work, he fell on his head onto a cement floor from a height of approximately 12 feet. The concussion from the fall led to traumatic meningitis, and Hawk died at his Freeport home, in December 1899 at age 52.[5] [6] He was buried at the Freeport Cemetery.[7]