Robert Joseph Hoover (April 15, 1915 – September 2, 1965) was an American professional baseball player from 1937 to 1946.

He also played six years in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) for the Hollywood Stars from 1938 to 1942 and the San Francisco Seals in 1946.

He was also selected as a PCL all-star and the Hollywood Stars' most valuable player in 1942 when he hit for a .327 batting average.

He attended Pomona High School where he starred in baseball, as an end in football, and as a guard in basketball.

[10] He earned a reputation for versatility with the Stars, logging time at shortstop, second base, outfield, and as a pitcher.

[12] As his defensive performance improved, Hollywood manager Bill Sweeney boasted: "If the Stars suddenly acquired the best shortstop in the majors today that player couldn't get Hoover out of my lineup.

[9] The Pomona newspaper in 1941 summed up Hoover's path to success:A worker, Joe went into baseball the hard way, doing little talking, playing many positions, showing determination and love for the game.

He hasn't set the world on fire with his hitting, but he improved his fielding to the extent that he's recognized as one of the best shortstops in the coast league.

"[15]In 1942, Hoover blossomed as a hitter, compiling a .327 batting average with 34 doubles, 10 triples, 11 home runs, 62 RBIs and 14 stolen bases.

At the time of Detroit's purchase of Hoover, The Sporting News described him as "hustle personified" and "not a chatterbox type."

[1] Before the start of the 1944 season, Hoover was reclassified as 1A by the draft board, raising fears that the Tigers would lose yet another shortstop to the war.

His batting average dipped to .236, but he was steady defensively, ranking second in the American League in range factor (5.55) and double plays turned (102) by a shortstop.

[1] On January 24, 1946, the Tigers sold Hoover to the San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast League.