Atlanta Braves
Ex-Brave Mike Hessman retires as a home run king
The Braves' Mike Hessman (right) is met at the plate by teammate Mark DeRosa after hitting two-run home run in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2003, in Pittsburgh. (AP file photo)
When the Braves drafted Mike Hessman in 1996, they hoped he might hit a lot of home runs some day.
The first baseman/third baseman did, stroking 447 in his pro baseball career. But only four of those were in an Atlanta Braves uniform. Hessman hit 14 home runs in the majors but he piled up a record 433 home runs in the American minor leagues.
Hessman's minor-league total is one home run better than Buzz Arlett, who had 432. Hector Espino holds the all-time minor-league home run record with 484, all in the Mexican League.
The 6-foot-5 Hessman was drafted by the Braves in the 15th round of the 1996 draft.
He played for Atlanta in 2003 and 2004 and later played in the majors with the Tigers and Mets. He hit .286 for the 2003 Braves in 19 games but struggled in 2004, hitting .130 with 24 strikeouts in 29 games.
He was a career .233 hitter in the minors, a .188 hitter in the majors. He struck out 2,453 times in his career.
About the Author
Mike Luck is an Audience Specialist on the sports team at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has worked at the AJC since 1980.
