Damon Hollins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Damon Hollins |
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Hollins with the Kansas City Royals in 2023
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| Kansas City Royals – No. 39 | |||
| Outfielder / Coach | |||
| Born: June 12, 1974 Fairfield, California, U.S. |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: April 24, 1998, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| NPB: 2007, for the Yomiuri Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| MLB: October 1, 2006, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays | |||
| NPB: 2007, for the Yomiuri Giants | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .242 | ||
| Home runs | 28 | ||
| Runs batted in | 86 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .257 | ||
| Home runs | 12 | ||
| Runs batted in | 45 | ||
| Teams | |||
As Coach
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Damon Jamall Hollins (born June 12, 1974) is a former professional baseball player. He used to play as an Outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for teams like the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Today, he is a coach for the Kansas City Royals. He mostly played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. There, he covered all three outfield positions.
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Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Damon Hollins was born in Fairfield, California. He grew up close to the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum. As a child, he loved going to Oakland Athletics games. He was the oldest child of his mother, Deborah Watson.
In 1991, Hollins showed his skills in the PONY Baseball and Softball Palomino World Series. He played baseball for Vallejo High School in Vallejo, California. After high school, the Atlanta Braves picked him in the fourth round of the 1992 MLB Draft.
Playing in the Big Leagues
Hollins started his professional baseball journey in 1992. This was just one day after he graduated from high school. In 1993, Baseball America magazine called him the best new player in the Appalachian League.
He made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on April 24, 1998. He played for the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. In that game, he got his first hit against Brian Anderson. He played three games for the Braves that year. Then, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
From 1999 to 2003, Hollins played for several minor league teams. These included teams linked to the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. He returned to the Braves for a short time in 2004. In 2005 and 2006, he joined the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. This was his first chance to play regularly in the major leagues.
On Mother's Day in 2006, Hollins used a special pink bat. He was one of over 50 players who did this. It was to help raise money for a good cause.
In 2007, Hollins played baseball in Japan. He signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. He played in 124 games for them. He had a batting average of .257. He also hit 12 home runs and had 45 RBI. Two of his home runs won the game for his team.
After playing for the Kansas City Royals organization in 2008, he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he was released during spring training in 2009. Later that year, he signed another contract with the Kansas City Royals.
Coaching Career
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After his playing career, Damon Hollins became a baseball coach. In 2010, he started as a hitting coach for the Burlington Royals. He then coached for other teams like the Kane County Cougars and Wilmington Blue Rocks.
From 2013, he was the hitting coach for the Idaho Falls Chukars for two years. In 2015, he moved to the Lexington Legends as a hitting coach. By 2019, he was also helping the Kansas City Royals organization. He taught players about outfield, base running, and bunting.
Before the 2020 season, Hollins became the first base coach for the Kansas City Royals. He took over from Rusty Kuntz. Kuntz had decided not to coach that season due to health concerns. When Kuntz returned in 2021, Hollins went back to being a minor league instructor. In November 2021, Hollins was again named the first base coach for the Royals for the 2022 season.
Personal Life
Damon Hollins is married to Patrice. They have three children. As of 2016, they lived in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
