Mike Hessman has all three.
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Hessman thanked the fans and the Mud Hens, the triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, for their support and said he was relieved the quest was over.
“Yeah, I wasn’t anticipating that”, Hessman stated in a radio interview. He’s hit 14 homers in the majors, batting. 400 and a 19-4 career record as a pitcher.
In a profession where the legends play under the bright lights, Hessman has defied the odds to become a legend of minor league baseball.
It will be a bittersweet title to hold.
“I don’t follow the numbers, but after the season I’ll probably do a little digging and learn a little bit about the guys I’ve passed”, Hessman told the Associated Press.
At first, he struggled.
The home run was the last thing on my mind, to be honest.
For portions of five seasons, he played in the major leagues.
Mike Hessman broke the minor-league home run record in style. He’s had enough power to play pro ball ever since graduating from Mater Dei High School in Southern California almost 20 years ago.
The Braves didn’t need a third baseman, though. He’s now hit 433 career dingers in front of small crowds a world removed from the big leagues’ bright lights. In Detroit, he backed up Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen, getting into 29 games over two seasons. “I’ve been extremely blessed to have played for a Tigers organization that gave me the opportunity to continue my career”.
Hessman’s final stint in the big leagues was in 2010 with the Mets. He would also earn the honor of worldwide League MVP that year. With no other active players even close, and the direction professional baseball is moving with players either moving up to the majors or hanging up the spikes early, Hessman’s home run record might stand the test of time.
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How long might Hessman keep playing?
