“So what is next for “MiLB HR King” to accomplish in his professional career?”
Advertisement
But they once had a guy who now has 447 career home runs – even if 433 of them have been hit in the minors.
In 1996, when Hessman was selected in the 15th round of the draft by the Atlanta Braves, he was an intriguing prospect with plenty of upside. Primarily a third baseman in the field, Hessman was a powerful presence in the lineup right from the start in minor league baseball.
It was a historic night for journeyman slugger Mike Hessman. Rather, he grounded into a 4-3 double play.
The 37-year-old Hessman does have major league experience, although sparingly, after making appearances for the Braves, Mets and Tigers between 2003 and 2010. The reasons for this are obvious and make ideal sense. So, yes, Mr. Hessman has been playing this game for a while… In 2005, he signed a minor league contract with Detroit and reported to Triple-A Toledo. In rookie ball, he hit for a. 218 average, struck out more than three times as often as he walked, and hit just one home run.
Toledo manager Larry Parrish was among the Hessman hailers Monday. He would also earn the honor of worldwide League MVP that year.
By the time Hessman made it back to the big leagues, he was almost 30 and had moved to the Tigers. He played 19 games that season and 29 the year after that. After returning stateside in 2012, Hessman bounced around between the Astros’ and Reds’ organizations before reclaiming his throne in Toledo prior to the 2014 season. He holds team records in home runs and RBIs.
But after that, he embarked on a stretch of 17 years in which he did not hit fewer than 16 home runs.
Baseball’s real-life version of Crash Davis has a place in baseball history.
Hessman, 37, broke a record that had stood for 79 years. In 13 of those seasons, he hit 20 or more. Will his record ever be broken?
Advertisement
“I never played the game to chase records”, said Hessman, holding a bottle of congratulatory champagne as teammates cheered him in the Mud Hens clubhouse afterward.
