Described as a "long legged heavy hitter",[1] Hoover was among his league's leaders in several offensive statistics during his 12-year professional baseball career.

He started his baseball career in 1883, playing for the Reading Actives and Wilmington Quicksteps of the Interstate Association.

[3] The following season, Hoover joined the Union Association's Philadelphia Keystones and made his major league debut on April 17, 1884.

[8] In 1888, he began the season with the Philadelphia Quakers of the National League but did not appear in any games.

After he was released, one newspaper account noted: "'Buster' Hoover, the long legged heavy hitter that Harry Wright expected so much of early in the season, is now with the Albany club.

[3] In late 1892, Hoover received his final shot in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds.