LaTroy Hawkins is a former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over two decades. He was born on December 21, 1972, in Gary, Indiana, and attended West Side High School in Gary. Hawkins was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the seventh round of the 1991 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with the Twins in 1995.
Hawkins played for several teams during his career, including the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays. He was primarily used as a relief pitcher and had a reputation for being a reliable and durable pitcher.
Throughout his career, Hawkins recorded 1,463 strikeouts, 127 saves, and a 4.31 earned run average (ERA) in 1,042 games. He was known for his ability to throw a variety of pitches, including a fastball, slider, and changeup. Hawkins was also known for his leadership and mentorship of younger players, and he was often called upon to provide guidance and advice to his teammates.
One of the highlights of Hawkins' career came in 2004 when he helped lead the Chicago Cubs to the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Hawkins was a key member of the Cubs' bullpen that season, recording 25 saves and a 2.63 ERA in 77 games. Although the Cubs ultimately fell short in the NLCS, Hawkins' performance that season was widely praised.
Hawkins retired from baseball in 2015 at the age of 42. He finished his career with a record of 75-94 and a 4.31 ERA. After retiring, Hawkins worked as a special assistant to the Minnesota Twins and as an analyst for MLB Network. In 2018, he was hired as a studio analyst for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Throughout his career, Hawkins was known for his professionalism, work ethic, and dedication to the game of baseball. He was respected by his teammates and opponents alike and was widely regarded as one of the most reliable and consistent relief pitchers of his era. Although he never won a World Series championship, Hawkins' contributions to the game of baseball will be remembered for years to come.
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