Eric Hinske is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for 12 seasons. He was born on August 5, 1977, in Neenah, Wisconsin, and attended the University of Arkansas, where he played college baseball.
Hinske was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 17th round of the 1998 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002, where he played for three seasons. In his rookie year, he won the American League Rookie of the Year award, hitting .279 with 24 home runs and 84 RBIs.
After his stint with the Blue Jays, Hinske played for several teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, and Arizona Diamondbacks. He was primarily used as a corner infielder and outfielder, and he was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions.
Throughout his career, Hinske was a solid hitter, finishing with a career batting average of .249, 137 home runs, and 522 RBIs. He was also a valuable asset to his teams defensively, making several highlight-reel plays throughout his career.
Hinske was a part of two World Series championship teams during his career. He won his first championship with the Boston Red Sox in 2007, where he played a key role off the bench. He hit a home run in Game 4 of the World Series, helping the Red Sox sweep the Colorado Rockies.
Hinske won his second championship with the New York Yankees in 2009. He was acquired by the Yankees in a mid-season trade and played a key role off the bench during the playoffs. He hit a home run in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, helping the Yankees advance to the World Series, where they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.
After retiring from baseball, Hinske became a coach. He served as the assistant hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs in 2014 and 2015, and he was the first base coach for the Los Angeles Angels in 2016. In 2017, he was named the assistant hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he currently serves.
In conclusion, Eric Hinske had a successful career in the MLB, playing for 12 seasons and winning two World Series championships. He was a solid hitter and a valuable asset to his teams defensively, and he is now using his experience to help coach the next generation of baseball players.
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