Carl Emil Hoppe was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to German immigrant parents, Julius and Elizabeth (nee Huth) Hoppe. He had one older brother, Herbert. Their parents ran a small grocery store in Cleveland.
Carl Hoppe attended John Adams High School in Cleveland, where he played baseball and football. He attracted attention from professional baseball scouts while playing American Legion baseball.
In 1934, Hoppe signed with the Cleveland Indians organization, playing for several of their minor league affiliates from 1934-36. He was considered a promising outfielder, but he was also plagued by injuries. In 1937, he suffered a broken leg. In 1939, he was hit in the head with a pitch, sustaining a concussion.
In 1940, Hoppe was traded to the Boston Braves for cash. It was his break to the major leagues. On April 17, 1941, Hoppe made his major league debut for the Braves. He appeared in one game and went hitless in four at-bats.
Hoppe did not play in any other games for the Braves and never made it back to the major leagues. He continued playing in the minor leagues until 1945 but never managed to reach stardom.
In 1942-43, Hoppe briefly played for the Milwaukee Chicks, a professional women's baseball league team during World War II. When Hoppe returned to the minor leagues in 1946, he played primarily in the outfield.
Hoppe's professional career ended in 1951. He retired to Cleveland, where he worked as a machinist and continued playing baseball in local leagues.
Hoppe died of cancer in Cleveland on July 12, 1977.