But Game 5 was another crushing defeat as Hooton was yanked after allowing four runs in the third inning for a 4–2 Yankee lead, with New York romping to a 12–2 blowout and their third straight win. The Yankees won again two days later for their second consecutive title. After solid but unspectacular years in 1979 and 1980, Hooton enjoyed an 11–6 campaign in the strike-shortened 1981 season, posting a career-best 2.28 ERA and being named to his only All-Star team. He began the playoffs with a win against the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the Division Series, allowing only three hits, including an Art Howe solo homer, through seven innings. After the Dodgers won the series in five games, they went on to face the Montreal Expos in the NLCS; Hooton won Game 1, allowing only six hits before leaving in the eighth inning with a 2–0 lead. Returning in Game 4 with the Dodgers behind two games to one, he allowed only five hits and one unearned run before leaving in the eighth inning with a 3–1 lead; the Dodgers went on to a 7–1 win, and won Game 5 to advance to the World Series, again meeting the Yankees. Hooton was named the NLCS MVP for his two wins and perfect 0.00 ERA. He started Game 2 of the World Series, but took a tough loss after leaving the game in the seventh inning, behind 1–0 on an unearned run; the Yankees went on to win 3–0 behind the pitching of his former Dodger teammate Tommy John. But he came back with another strong outing in Game 6, leaving with an 8–1 lead in the sixth inning as the Dodgers won 9–2, taking their first World Series title since 1965. Because of his unassuming nature, broadcaster Vin Scully said that to celebrate, Hooton would probably go out and "paint the town beige." Hooton remained with the Dodgers for three more years, but with a combined record of just 16–21; he spent most of 1984 in the bullpen. Texas Rangers Hooton played his last season in 1985 for the Texas Rangers after signing with them as a free agent, going 5–8. Coaching Hooton returned to the University of Texas to earn his degree in journalism and then began a career as a pitching coach. He first worked in the Dodgers organization in 1988 with the Class A