Brian Hunter (outfielder) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brian Hunter |
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Hunter at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in 2011
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| Center fielder | |||
| Born: March 25, 1971 Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| June 27, 1994, for the Houston Astros | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 24, 2003, for the Houston Astros | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .264 | ||
| Home runs | 25 | ||
| Runs batted in | 241 | ||
| Stolen bases | 260 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Brian Lee Hunter, born on March 25, 1971, is a former professional baseball player. He played as a center fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches, he was famous for his amazing speed. He was especially known for stealing over 70 bases in one season!
Contents
Early Life and Minor League Journey
Brian Hunter was born in Portland, Oregon. He grew up and went to Fort Vancouver High School in Vancouver, Washington. After high school, Brian was chosen by the Houston Astros in the 1989 baseball draft. He was picked in the second round, which is a big deal!
Before playing in the major leagues, Brian spent about five and a half years playing for different minor league teams.
- He started with the Gulf Coast League Astros in 1989.
- Then he played for the Asheville Tourists and the Osceola Astros.
- He also played for the Jackson Generals and the Tucson Toros. These teams helped him get ready for the big leagues.
Playing in Major League Baseball
Brian Hunter made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on June 27, 1994. He played for the Houston Astros against the Cincinnati Reds. In that first game, he got one hit and even stole his first base! He played for the Astros until the end of the 1996 season.
Time with the Detroit Tigers
In December 1996, Brian was traded to the Detroit Tigers. He played for the Tigers from 1997 to 1999. The year 1997 was a huge one for him!
- He led all of Major League Baseball with 74 stolen bases.
- He tried to steal bases 18 times but was caught.
- His 74 stolen bases that year are still the most by an American League player since then.
- Brian played in all 162 games that season, showing how tough he was.
- He was also great in the outfield, making many putouts and only making four errors.
Moving to Other Teams
In 1999, Brian was traded to the Seattle Mariners. He continued to show his speed, leading the American League in stolen bases again with 44. After playing for the Mariners, Brian moved to a few other teams.
- He played for the Colorado Rockies in 2000.
- Then he joined the Cincinnati Reds later that same year.
- In 2001, he played for the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Brian finished his career back where he started, with the Houston Astros, playing in 2002 and 2003.
Because of his amazing speed and ability to steal bases, sports announcer Chris Berman gave him a cool nickname: "Deer" Hunter!
After Playing Baseball
After his playing career, Brian Hunter became a coach.
- In 2015, he was hired as the hitting coach for the Everett AquaSox.
- After two years with the AquaSox, he became a coach for the Tacoma Rainiers.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders
