Denny Hocking was a versatile infielder who played for several teams during his Major League Baseball career. He was born on April 2, 1970, in Torrance, California, and attended El Segundo High School. Hocking was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 52nd round of the 1989 MLB draft but did not sign. He instead attended El Camino College and was drafted again by the Twins in the 52nd round of the 1991 draft, this time signing with the team.
Hocking made his MLB debut with the Twins in 1993 and spent the majority of his career with the team. He was known for his versatility, playing every position except pitcher and catcher during his career. Hocking was primarily a utility infielder, but he also played outfield and even pitched in one game.
Hocking's best season came in 2000 when he played in a career-high 136 games and hit .280 with 5 home runs and 38 RBI. He also stole 10 bases and had a .347 on-base percentage. Hocking was a valuable member of the Twins' roster during their successful run in the early 2000s, which included four division titles and a trip to the American League Championship Series in 2002.
In addition to his time with the Twins, Hocking also played for the Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, and Arizona Diamondbacks. He retired after the 2005 season with a career batting average of .251, 25 home runs, and 209 RBI.
After his playing career, Hocking remained involved in baseball as a coach and manager. He served as a minor league coach for the Twins and was the manager of the Fort Myers Miracle, the team's Class A affiliate, from 2014 to 2016. Hocking also worked as a coach for the Los Angeles Angels and the Seattle Mariners.
Overall, Denny Hocking was a reliable and versatile player who made valuable contributions to several teams during his MLB career. His ability to play multiple positions made him a valuable asset to any roster, and his work ethic and dedication to the game earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches.
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