Hunter Pence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hunter Pence |
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Pence with the Giants in 2015
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| Right fielder | |||
| Born: April 13, 1983 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 28, 2007, for the Houston Astros | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 21, 2020, for the San Francisco Giants | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .279 | ||
| Home runs | 244 | ||
| Runs batted in | 942 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Hunter Andrew Pence (born April 13, 1983) is a former American professional baseball player. He was known as "The Reverend" by his fans. Hunter played as a right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He played for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Texas Rangers. Hunter was picked by the Astros in the 2004 MLB Draft. He made his first big league appearance in 2007. Pence was chosen as an All-Star four times. He also won two World Series championships with the Giants in 2012 and 2014.
Contents
- Hunter Pence's Early Life and School
- Hunter Pence's Professional Baseball Career
- Hunter Pence's Life After Playing Baseball
- Hunter Pence's Awards and Honors
- Images for kids
- See also
Hunter Pence's Early Life and School
Hunter Pence grew up in Arlington, Texas. He went to Arlington High School. For his first three years, he played in the outfield. In his last year, he played as a shortstop.
Hunter's College Baseball Journey
After high school, Hunter went to Texarkana College for one year. He played as a designated hitter on their baseball team.
Then, he moved to the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). There, he returned to playing in the outfield for the UT Arlington Mavericks. In 2003, he hit very well, with a .347 batting average. He was named a top outfielder in his conference. Even with an injury in 2004, he was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year. He led the league with a .395 batting average.
Hunter Pence's Professional Baseball Career
Getting Drafted and Playing in the Minor Leagues
Hunter Pence was first drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002, but he did not sign with them. In the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft, the Houston Astros chose him in the second round. He started playing in the minor leagues that year.
In 2004, he played for the Tri-City ValleyCats. He helped them win 50 games. In 2006, he played for the Corpus Christi Hooks. He hit 28 home runs and had 95 RBIs. He also stole 17 bases. Because of his great play, he was named to the Baseball America Minor League All-Star Team.
Playing for the Houston Astros (2007–2011)
Hunter's Big League Debut in 2007
Hunter Pence played his first MLB game for the Houston Astros on April 28, 2007. He played center fielder against the Milwaukee Brewers. In that game, he got his first major league hit and scored his first run. On May 5, he hit his first grand slam home run against the St. Louis Cardinals.
On July 3, Hunter hit a game-winning walk-off home run in the 13th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. He was named National League Player of the Week in May for his strong hitting. Later that season, he missed a month due to a small wrist injury. Even with the injury, he was one of the top rookies in the league. He led all National League rookies in triples. He was also second in batting average and slugging percentage.
Hunter was chosen for the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team. He was also a top contender for the Rookie of the Year award.
Hunter's Seasons from 2008 to 2011
In 2008, Hunter moved to right field. He set new personal bests with 25 home runs and 83 RBIs. He also had 16 assists from the outfield, which was the most in the league.
In 2009, Hunter was named an All-Star for the first time. In 2010, he hit .282 with 25 home runs and 91 RBIs. He was named National League Player of the Week again in September.
Hunter was chosen as an All-Star reserve in 2011. He made a great throw from the outfield during the game. At the All-Star break, he was hitting .321 with 10 home runs and 59 RBIs.
Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies (2011–2012)
Hunter's Time with the Phillies in 2011
On July 29, 2011, the Houston Astros traded Hunter Pence to the Philadelphia Phillies. In return, the Astros received four minor league players. On August 4, Hunter hit his first home run as a Phillie.
Hunter finished the season with a .314 batting average, which was fourth best in the National League. He also had 97 RBIs. This was Hunter's first time playing in the playoffs. However, the Phillies lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round.
Playing for the San Francisco Giants (2012–2018)
Hunter's Impact in 2012
On July 31, 2012, the Phillies traded Hunter Pence to the San Francisco Giants. The Phillies received three players in return. On August 12, Hunter hit his first home run as a Giant.
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Before a key playoff game in 2012, Hunter gave a very inspiring speech to his teammates. The Giants were losing in the series, but after his speech, they won three games in a row. His speeches were said to help the Giants rally and win the 2012 World Series. His teammates even joked about his speeches.
Hunter's Great Season in 2013
On July 13, 2013, Hunter had a game where he drove in five runs. He also made an amazing diving catch to save a no-hitter for his teammate Tim Lincecum. On August 27, he hit one of the longest home runs of the season. It traveled an estimated 476 feet.
Hunter was named National League Player of the Month for September. He hit 11 home runs and had 32 RBIs that month. On September 10, he became the seventh Giant to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in the same season. On September 14, he hit his first grand slam as a Giant. He also had a career-high 7 RBIs in that game.
Hunter won the Willie Mac Award in 2013, which honors a Giants player for their spirit and leadership. The next day, he signed a new five-year contract with the Giants. Hunter played in all 162 games during the 2013 season. He was the first Giants player to do this since 1954. For the season, he hit .283 with 27 home runs and 99 RBIs. He also stole 22 bases.
Hunter's World Series Win in 2014
On July 6, 2014, Hunter was chosen for his third All-Star Game. Near the end of the season, his long streak of playing in every game ended. However, he still played as a pinch-hitter to keep his games-played streak going.
In the 2014 playoffs, Hunter made a fantastic leaping catch against the wall. This play helped the Giants win a close game against the Washington Nationals. In Game 4 of the 2014 World Series, Hunter had a great game. He had three hits, scored two runs, and drove in three runs. He also made a nice sliding catch.
His strong performance helped the Giants win their third World Series in five years. They beat the Royals in Game 7. Hunter hit .444 in the series with 5 RBIs and 7 runs scored. He had at least one hit in every game of the series.
Hunter's Injuries and Return in 2015
On March 5, 2015, Hunter broke his left forearm after being hit by a pitch. He started the season on the injured list. This ended his streak of playing in 383 straight games. He returned in May but went back on the injured list in June with a wrist injury.
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Hunter came back in July and hit a grand slam against his former team, the Phillies. However, he went back on the injured list in August with a muscle strain and missed the rest of the season.
Hunter's Later Years with the Giants (2016–2018)
Hunter was named National League Player of the Week again in April 2016. On May 14, he hit his 200th career home run. On June 1, he tore a hamstring tendon in his right leg and missed several weeks. In 2016, he hit .289 with 13 home runs.
In 2017, Hunter was placed on the injured list again due to a hamstring issue. He hit .260 with 13 home runs that season. In 2018, he sprained his thumb while diving for a ball. He was placed on the injured list for this injury. He hit .226 with 4 home runs in 2018.
On September 30, 2018, the Giants honored Hunter Pence at their home park. His manager and the team thanked him for his time with the Giants.
Playing for the Texas Rangers (2019)
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On February 7, 2019, Hunter Pence signed a contract with the Texas Rangers. He made their Opening Day team. Hunter was voted to start as the designated hitter for the American League in the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Hunter had a great 2019 season. He hit .297 with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs in 83 games. He was given the American League's "Comeback Player of the Year" award.
Returning to the Giants and Retirement (2020)
On February 7, 2020, Hunter Pence signed another contract with the Giants. He played for them again in 2020. After hitting .096 with 2 home runs, he was released by the Giants on August 24, 2020.
On September 26, 2020, Hunter Pence announced that he was retiring from professional baseball. The next day, he celebrated his retirement at Oracle Park with his family and friends.
Hunter Pence's Life After Playing Baseball
Broadcasting Career
On July 18, 2021, Hunter Pence started working as a Giants baseball analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area. In March 2022, he also joined MLB Network as an analyst.
Personal Life
In 2013, Hunter Pence was diagnosed with Scheuermann's disease. This is a spinal condition that usually develops in younger people. It was found during his physical before he signed his big contract with the Giants.
On December 3, 2015, Hunter announced his engagement to Alexis Cozombolidis. They got married on November 26, 2016. They live in San Francisco.
Hunter Pence has appeared on TV shows like Fuller House and Bill Nye Saves the World. He also helps with Big League Impact, a charity group started by baseball player Adam Wainwright. This group raises money for different causes. Hunter also enjoys playing video games and streaming on Twitch.
Hunter Pence's Awards and Honors
- 2003 – Summer League First-Team All-American DH
- 2003 – Southland Conference All-Star OF
- 2004 – Southland Conference Player of the Year
- 2004 – Southland Conference All-Star OF
- 2004 – Southland Conference Hitter of the Year
- 2005 – Low A All-Star OF
- 2005 – Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year
- 2005 – South Atlantic League All-Star OF
- 2005 – South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Prospect
- 2006 – All-Star Futures Game selection
- 2006 – Baseball America Minor League All-Star
- 2006 – Arizona Fall League All-Prospect Team
- 2007 – National League Player of the Week (May 14–20, 2007)
- 2007 – National League Rookie of the Month (May)
- 2009 – National League All-Star
- 2010 – National League Player of the Week (August 29 – September 5, 2010)
- 2011 – National League All-Star
- 2012 – World Series Champion
- 2013 – National League Player of the Week (September 9–15, 2013)
- 2013 – National League Player of the Month (September)
- 2013 – Willie Mac Award
- 2014 – National League All-Star
- 2014 – World Series Champion
- 2016 – National League Player of the Week (April 25 – May 1, 2016)
- 2019 – American League All-Star
- 2022 – San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame
Images for kids
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Pence with the Giants in 2015
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Pence at-bat in 2008
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Pence on April 3, 2010
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Pence on June 8, 2012
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Pence playing right field during the 2012 World Series
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Pence in the 2012 World Series parade
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Pence batting at home in 2013
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Pence batting on the road in 2013
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Pence batting during a home game in 2015
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Pence taking batting practice before the 2016 NL Wild Card Game
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Pence in the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade
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Pence with Texas Rangers teammates Marcus Stroman (left) and Joey Gallo (right) before the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
See also
In Spanish: Hunter Pence para niños
- Houston Astros award winners and league leaders
