In honor of Deaf Awareness Month, we salute the most accomplished deaf baseball player, William “Dummy” Hoy. Not only was he a very good player, but he helped change the game. Hoy contracted meningitis which left him Deaf at age three. He referred to himself as “Dummy” since in those days, the word "dumb" was used to describe someone who could not speak. But could he play baseball! He played 14 seasons from 1888-1902 and had a lifetime average of .288 with over 2,000 hits. He ended his career with 596 stolen bases, which still ranks in the Top 20 in MLB history. In fact, he had eight more career steals than the great Maury Wills. He led the league in his first year with 82 steals. Since he could not hear the umps' verbal calls, many baseball historians credit Hoy with umpires starting to use their hands to signal whether a runner was safe or out or whether a pitch was a ball or a strike. "Dummy" Hoy was a true pioneer of the game. Now, more than a century later, a growing campaign is working to finally get Hoy the recognition he deserves, including a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Learn more and add your name at SignForHoy.com #MLB #DeafAwareness #SignForHoy