LaTroy Hawkins
Encyclopedia
LaTroy Hawkins is a Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
. Through 2011, he was third of all active pitchers in career games pitched.
in the amateur draft, and spent the next four years in the Twins' minor league system. His major league debut early in the season was a disastrous start against the Baltimore Orioles
, where he gave up seven earned run
s in only an inning and two thirds of work. Hawkins bounced between the big league club and Salt Lake
of the PCL
over the next few years, finally landing in the Twins' bullpen permanently in . He was the opposing starting pitcher during the perfect game by Yankees pitcher David Wells
on May 17, 1998.
Sporting a mid-90s fastball
, Hawkins was used by the Twins as their closer
during the and seasons, but eventually lost the job to Eddie Guardado
. In the set-up role, Hawkins drew the attention of the league when he posted a 2.13 ERA
in . He fared even better in , when his ERA dropped to 1.86 and he struck out
75 batters in just 77 and 1/3 innings. Hawkins became a free agent
after the 2003 season.
after the 2003 season. Hawkins was signed by the Cubs to pitch the 8th inning to set up for Joe Borowski, but Borowski went down with an injury early in the season, and Hawkins took over closing duties. On September 11, Hawkins struck out the side on only nine pitches
in a game against the Florida Marlins
. Despite a better-than-average ERA of 2.63 on the year and 25 saves, Hawkins blew 9 saves on the year, including two during a late-September skid that cost the Cubs the wild card
. These blown saves earned him the ire of Cubs fans, who made a habit of booing him loudly at Wrigley Field
when he came on in relief. When Hawkins came back in 2006 as a member of the San Francisco Giants
the Cub fans chanted Hawkins Sucks, Hawkins Sucks which angered then manager Dusty Baker
and first baseman Derek Lee
.
in exchange for pitchers Jerome Williams
and David Aardsma
. Upon arrival in San Francisco, Hawkins was initially converted back into a set-up role, with the team cautiously optimistic about a return to form. However, Hawkins only showed brief flashes of his previous ability en route to a league-average performance for the Giants.
for left-handed
reliever Steve Kline. He spent one season with the Orioles and became a free agent after the season.
. On July 8, , Hawkins was the only Colorado player to help the groundskeepers and the entire Philadelphia
ballclub with the tarp during a heavy storm in Denver. Despite pitching in the hitter-friendly Coors Field
, he posted a 3.42 ERA in 62 appearances, including a scoreless 7th inning in the wild card playoff
against San Diego
. Hawkins gave up only one run
and two hits
in five innings of post-season work for the National League champions
.
On December 9, 2007, Hawkins signed a one-year contract with the New York Yankees, reportedly worth $3.75 million. He became the first player since outfielder Paul O'Neill to wear the jersey number 21 for the Yankees.
However, after returning from a road trip on April 16, he changed his number to 22 in response to the fans' booing, yelling, and calling O'Neill's name when he took the field.
Hawkins was suspended three games for throwing a head-high pitch to Baltimore Orioles
left fielder
Luke Scott on May 21. He was fined an undisclosed amount.
Hawkins was designated for assignment
on July 26.
acquired Hawkins from the Yankees for minor leaguer Matt Cusick. Hawkins was an integral part of the Astros' late-season playoff run, pitching 21 innings out of the bullpen and allowing just one earned run over that span (good for a 0.43 ERA). Hawkins signed a 1 year deal with the Astros to return for the season.
for 2 years and $7.5 million.
In 2011, he was 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 52 games. Through 2011, he was third of all active pitchers in career games pitched (823).
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. Through 2011, he was third of all active pitchers in career games pitched.
Minnesota Twins
Hawkins was drafted straight out of high school by the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in the amateur draft, and spent the next four years in the Twins' minor league system. His major league debut early in the season was a disastrous start against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, where he gave up seven earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
s in only an inning and two thirds of work. Hawkins bounced between the big league club and Salt Lake
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
of the PCL
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
over the next few years, finally landing in the Twins' bullpen permanently in . He was the opposing starting pitcher during the perfect game by Yankees pitcher David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
on May 17, 1998.
Sporting a mid-90s fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, Hawkins was used by the Twins as their closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
during the and seasons, but eventually lost the job to Eddie Guardado
Eddie Guardado
Edward Adrian Guardado is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Throughout his career, Guardado had played with the Minnesota Twins , Seattle Mariners , Cincinnati Reds , and the Rangers .His common nickname is "Everyday Eddie", a testament to his durable arm during his first stint with the...
. In the set-up role, Hawkins drew the attention of the league when he posted a 2.13 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in . He fared even better in , when his ERA dropped to 1.86 and he struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
75 batters in just 77 and 1/3 innings. Hawkins became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the 2003 season.
Chicago Cubs
Hawkins drew interest from a number of teams before signing a three-year, $11 million deal with the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
after the 2003 season. Hawkins was signed by the Cubs to pitch the 8th inning to set up for Joe Borowski, but Borowski went down with an injury early in the season, and Hawkins took over closing duties. On September 11, Hawkins struck out the side on only nine pitches
Pitchers who struck out three batters on nine pitches
In Major League Baseball, 43 pitchers have thrown a nine-pitch, three-strikeout half-inning, throwing nothing but strikes...
in a game against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. Despite a better-than-average ERA of 2.63 on the year and 25 saves, Hawkins blew 9 saves on the year, including two during a late-September skid that cost the Cubs the wild card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
. These blown saves earned him the ire of Cubs fans, who made a habit of booing him loudly at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
when he came on in relief. When Hawkins came back in 2006 as a member of the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
the Cub fans chanted Hawkins Sucks, Hawkins Sucks which angered then manager Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
and first baseman Derek Lee
Derek Lee (baseball)
Derek Gerald Lee is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder who appeared in 15 games for the Minnesota Twins during the 1993 season. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed....
.
San Francisco Giants
On May 28, the Cubs traded Hawkins to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in exchange for pitchers Jerome Williams
Jerome Williams (baseball)
Jerome Lee Williams is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball...
and David Aardsma
David Aardsma
David Allan Aardsma is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball. He is the first player alphabetically in the list of all-time Major League Baseball players, having displaced Hank Aaron upon his MLB debut....
. Upon arrival in San Francisco, Hawkins was initially converted back into a set-up role, with the team cautiously optimistic about a return to form. However, Hawkins only showed brief flashes of his previous ability en route to a league-average performance for the Giants.
Baltimore Orioles
Following the 2005 season, Hawkins was traded to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
reliever Steve Kline. He spent one season with the Orioles and became a free agent after the season.
Colorado Rockies
On December 5, , Hawkins signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. On July 8, , Hawkins was the only Colorado player to help the groundskeepers and the entire Philadelphia
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
ballclub with the tarp during a heavy storm in Denver. Despite pitching in the hitter-friendly Coors Field
Coors Field
Coors Field, located in Denver, Colorado, is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. It is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the naming rights to the park prior to its completion in 1995...
, he posted a 3.42 ERA in 62 appearances, including a scoreless 7th inning in the wild card playoff
2007 National League wild card tie-breaker game
The 2007 National League Wild Card tiebreaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's National League Wild Card. The game took place on October 1, 2007 between the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies of the National League West at Coors Field. It was necessary after both teams...
against San Diego
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. Hawkins gave up only one run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
and two hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in five innings of post-season work for the National League champions
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
.
New York Yankees
However, after returning from a road trip on April 16, he changed his number to 22 in response to the fans' booing, yelling, and calling O'Neill's name when he took the field.
Hawkins was suspended three games for throwing a head-high pitch to Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
Luke Scott on May 21. He was fined an undisclosed amount.
Hawkins was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
on July 26.
Houston Astros
On July 30, 2008 the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
acquired Hawkins from the Yankees for minor leaguer Matt Cusick. Hawkins was an integral part of the Astros' late-season playoff run, pitching 21 innings out of the bullpen and allowing just one earned run over that span (good for a 0.43 ERA). Hawkins signed a 1 year deal with the Astros to return for the season.
Milwaukee Brewers
On December 16, 2009, Hawkins signed a deal with the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for 2 years and $7.5 million.
In 2011, he was 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 52 games. Through 2011, he was third of all active pitchers in career games pitched (823).