Hildebrand was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Butler University and was the starting center for the basketball team. He led Butler to the 1929 national collegiate championship, was the captain of the 1930 squad, and is in the Butler Hall of Fame.\n', '

Hildebrand started his professional baseball career in 1930 with the American Association\'s Indianapolis Indians. In two seasons, he went just 14–18 but made it to the major leagues in late 1931.\n', '

Hildebrand broke into the Cleveland Indians\' starting rotation in 1933. That season, he went 16–11, led the American League in shutouts with six, and was selected to the All-Star team. He pitched a one-hitter on April 26. From 1934 to 1936, he continued to pitch effectively for the Indians, going 30–28 in those years. Hildebrand also had several public disputes with manager Walter Johnson, which ended when Johnson was fired in 1935.\n', '

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