Brian Hunter (outfielder)
Encyclopedia
Brian Lee Hunter is a former center fielder
in Major League Baseball
. At 6'3" and around 180 lbs, he was known for stealing over 70 bases in 1997.
. He graduated from Fort Vancouver High School
in Vancouver, Washington
.
Hunter, who threw and batted right-handed, was drafted by the Houston Astros
in the 2nd round (35th Overall) of the amateur draft
. Hunter spent a little over five and a half seasons in the minor leagues. He begin his pro career with the Gulf Coast League
Astros in 1989. Hunter then went on to spend the next three seasons in class A playing for the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League
in 1990 and then the Osceola Astros of the Florida State League
for two seasons 1991-1992. After a season in Class AA with the Jackson Generals of the Texas League
, Hunter moved up to Class AAA and played part of the season with the Pacific Coast League
's Tucson Toros
in 1994.
. In five at bat
s he contributed with one hit, and stole his first base in this game. He played with Houston through the 1996 season
. On December 10 of that year he was traded along with Orlando Miller
, Todd Jones and Doug Brocail
, as well as cash, to the Detroit Tigers
for Daryle Ward
, C. J. Nitkowski
, Trever Miller
, José Lima
and Brad Ausmus
.
He played for Detroit from -. In 1997 he led the American League with 74 stolen bases, and was caught stealing only 18 times. He played in all 162 games that year; he also led the league in putouts, and committed only four errors.
On April 28, during the 1999 season
, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners
for Andy Van Hekken
and a minor leaguer. He again led the AL in stolen bases, this time with 44, in 1999. On March 27, 2000 he was released by the Mariners, and four days later he signed with the Colorado Rockies
who traded him to the Reds on August 6. On November 27 he was released by the Reds, and on January 10, 2001 Hunter signed with the Philadelphia Phillies
who in turn granted him free agency on November 5, which allowed him to play -03
and finish his career where it began, with the Astros, where he retired.
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
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...
. At 6'3" and around 180 lbs, he was known for stealing over 70 bases in 1997.
Minor league career
Hunter was born on March 5, 1971 in Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. He graduated from Fort Vancouver High School
Fort Vancouver High School
Fort Vancouver High School, known as FVHS, is a public high school located in Vancouver, Washington. It is named after Fort Vancouver, an early trading outpost...
in Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Incorporated in 1857, it is the fourth largest city in the state with a 2010 census population of 161,791 as of April 1, 2010...
.
Hunter, who threw and batted right-handed, was drafted by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in the 2nd round (35th Overall) of the amateur draft
Draft (sports)
A draft is a process used in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Russia and the Philippines to allocate certain players to sports teams. In a draft, teams take turns selecting from a pool of eligible players...
. Hunter spent a little over five and a half seasons in the minor leagues. He begin his pro career with the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
Astros in 1989. Hunter then went on to spend the next three seasons in class A playing for the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
in 1990 and then the Osceola Astros of the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
for two seasons 1991-1992. After a season in Class AA with the Jackson Generals of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
, Hunter moved up to Class AAA and played part of the season with the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
's Tucson Toros
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
in 1994.
Major league career
Hunter made his major league debut for the Astros on June 27, 1994 against the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. In five at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s he contributed with one hit, and stole his first base in this game. He played with Houston through the 1996 season
1996 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves ; John Wetteland, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Bernie Williams**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Javy López...
. On December 10 of that year he was traded along with Orlando Miller
Orlando Miller
Orlando Miller Salmon , is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball primarily as a shortstop from 1994-97.Orlando Miller got his pro career started in the minor leagues in 1991...
, Todd Jones and Doug Brocail
Doug Brocail
Douglas Keith Brocail is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently the interim pitching coach for the Houston Astros.-High school years:...
, as well as cash, to the 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...
for Daryle Ward
Daryle Ward
Daryle Lamar Ward is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and plays in the Minor League farm system. He has not played in the Majors since 2008. He bats and throws left-handed. The 6-foot-2, 240 pound Ward was drafted by the Detroit Tigers...
, C. J. Nitkowski
C. J. Nitkowski
Christopher John "C. J." Nitkowski is a left-handed professional baseball pitcher currently in the Korea Baseball Organization and formerly of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:...
, Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
, José Lima
José Lima
José Desiderio Rodriguez Lima was a Dominican right-handed pitcher who spent thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Kansas City Royals , Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets...
and Brad Ausmus
Brad Ausmus
Bradley David "Brad" Ausmus is a former All Star catcher in Major League Baseball, and currently a special assistant for the San Diego Padres....
.
He played for Detroit from -. In 1997 he led the American League with 74 stolen bases, and was caught stealing only 18 times. He played in all 162 games that year; he also led the league in putouts, and committed only four errors.
On April 28, during the 1999 season
1999 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves ; Mariano Rivera, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Orlando Hernández**American League Division Series:*National League Championship Series MVP: Eddie Pérez...
, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Andy Van Hekken
Andy Van Hekken
Andrew William Van Hekken is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Professional career:Van Hekken was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft....
and a minor leaguer. He again led the AL in stolen bases, this time with 44, in 1999. On March 27, 2000 he was released by the Mariners, and four days later he signed with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
who traded him to the Reds on August 6. On November 27 he was released by the Reds, and on January 10, 2001 Hunter signed with the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
who in turn granted him free agency on November 5, which allowed him to play -03
2003 in baseball
-Headline event of the year:*The Florida Marlins become World Series champions, holding off a dynastic New York Yankees team, 4 games to 2.-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Florida Marlins...
and finish his career where it began, with the Astros, where he retired.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions