Bob Hamelin
Encyclopedia
Robert James Hamelin (icon; born November 29, 1967 in Elizabeth, New Jersey
) is a former first baseman
and designated hitter
in Major League Baseball
. From 1993 through 1998, Hamelin played for the Kansas City Royals
(1993–96), Detroit Tigers
(1997) and Milwaukee Brewers
(1998). He batted and threw left-handed.
In a six-season career, Hamelin posted a .246 batting average
with 67 home run
s and 209 RBIs
in 497 games played
. His stint as a professional player was marred by leg injuries, both in the minors and majors. He also suffered from an eye problem.
As of 2010, Hamelin is serving as a professional scout in the Toronto Blue Jays
organization.
when Bob Hamelin was 12 years old.
Hamelin attended Irvine High School where he excelled in both football
and baseball
and was named the School's Athlete of the Year as a senior. The University of Notre Dame
recruited him to play football, however Hamelin had already decided to pursue a career in baseball. Hamelin enrolled in Santa Ana College
after graduating from high school and played on the school's baseball team. Soon thereafter the young baseball prospect transferred to UCLA where he continued to play baseball for his new school.
, when he posted a .282 batting average and hit 24 home run
s with 65 RBIs
during the strike-shortened season.
(Detroit Tigers AAA Team) in 1999. After grounding out, he went back to the dugout and told manager Gene Roof
, "I'm done", ending his professional baseball career as a player.
After retirement Hamelin was out of professional baseball for several years, owning a manufacturing company. He attended scout school and returned to professional baseball as a scout for the Washington Nationals. He's currently (2011) a scout for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
) is a former first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
in Major League Baseball
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...
. From 1993 through 1998, Hamelin played for the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
(1993–96), Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1997) and Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee 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...
(1998). He batted and threw left-handed.
In a six-season career, Hamelin posted a .246 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 67 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 209 RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 497 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. His stint as a professional player was marred by leg injuries, both in the minors and majors. He also suffered from an eye problem.
As of 2010, Hamelin is serving as a professional scout in the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
organization.
High school and college
The Hamelin family moved from their home in New Jersey to Irvine, CaliforniaIrvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
when Bob Hamelin was 12 years old.
Hamelin attended Irvine High School where he excelled in both football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and was named the School's Athlete of the Year as a senior. The University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
recruited him to play football, however Hamelin had already decided to pursue a career in baseball. Hamelin enrolled in Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College is a community college located in Santa Ana, California, USA.-History:In 1915, Santa Ana Junior College opened its doors to 25 students as a department of Santa Ana High School. It was the second community college founded in Orange County, behind Fullerton College, and the fourth...
after graduating from high school and played on the school's baseball team. Soon thereafter the young baseball prospect transferred to UCLA where he continued to play baseball for his new school.
Major leagues
Hamelin won the 1994 AL Rookie of the Year Award as a member of the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, when he posted a .282 batting average and hit 24 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s with 65 RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
during the strike-shortened season.
After the Major Leagues
Hamelin abruptly quit his professional baseball career while playing in the minor leagues for the Toledo Mud HensToledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
(Detroit Tigers AAA Team) in 1999. After grounding out, he went back to the dugout and told manager Gene Roof
Gene Roof
Eugene Lawrence Roof is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played during three seasons at the major league level for the St. Louis Cardinals and Montreal Expos. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the 12th round of the 1976 amateur draft...
, "I'm done", ending his professional baseball career as a player.
After retirement Hamelin was out of professional baseball for several years, owning a manufacturing company. He attended scout school and returned to professional baseball as a scout for the Washington Nationals. He's currently (2011) a scout for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Highlights
- American LeagueMLB Rookie of the Year AwardIn Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
and TSNThe Sporting News Rookie of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award was established in 1946 by The Sporting News .*In 1947-48, and again in 1950, a single award was given for all of Major League Baseball....
Rookie of the Year awards (1994) - 5th in slugging percentage (AL 1994, .599)
- 5th in OPS (AL 1994, .987)
- 9th in home runs (AL 1994, 24)
External links
- Baseball Library - profile
- Baseball Reference - career statistics and analysis