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Drungo Hazewood
Drungo Hazewood.jpeg
Outfielder
Born: (1959-09-02)September 2, 1959
Mobile, Alabama
Died: July 28, 2013(2013-07-28) (aged 53)
Sacramento, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
September 19, 1980, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last appearance
October 4, 1980, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
Batting average .000
Home runs 0
Runs batted in 0
Teams

Drungo LaRue Hazewood (born September 2, 1959 – died July 28, 2013) was a professional outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played a few games for the Baltimore Orioles in 1980. Most of his baseball career was spent playing in the minor leagues.

Drungo Hazewood's Baseball Journey

Early Career and Draft

Drungo Hazewood was a very talented young player. In 1977, the Baltimore Orioles picked him in the first round of the baseball draft. He was the 19th player chosen overall!

He started his professional journey with the Bluefield Orioles. This team was part of the "rookie league," where new players begin. The next year, 1978, he moved up to the Miami Orioles, a Class A team.

Rising Through the Minors

In 1979, Drungo played for the Charlotte O's. This was a Class AA team in the Southern League. He showed off his power that year, hitting 21 home runs.

Major League Debut

Drungo got his chance to play in the major leagues in 1980. Even though he had a great batting average during spring training, he joined the Orioles later in the season. This is called a "September call-up," when teams can add more players to their roster.

He played in six games for the Orioles. However, he didn't get any hits in his five chances to bat. He also had four strikeouts.

Back to the Minor Leagues

In 1981, Drungo went back to the minor leagues. He played for the Rochester Red Wings, a Class AAA team. This is just one step below the major leagues. He had a tough time there, getting only 6 hits in 64 chances.

He spent most of that year, and 1982, back with the Charlotte O's (Class AA). In 1982, he hit .226 with 11 home runs and stole 28 bases.

His last baseball season was in 1983. He played for two different minor league teams that year. Drungo decided to leave baseball during that season. He wanted to take care of his mother, who was sick with cancer.

Playing Style

Drungo Hazewood was known for his amazing strength and speed. He was a "power hitter," meaning he could hit the ball very far. However, he also struck out a lot. It was sometimes hard for him to hit curveballs.

His former teammates remembered his strength. Cal Ripken Jr., a famous baseball player, once said that Drungo snapped a baseball bat just by twisting it!

Later Life

Drungo Hazewood passed away from cancer on July 28, 2013. He was 53 years old and living in Sacramento, California.

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