LaTroy Hawkins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids LaTroy Hawkins
Hawkins with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015
Pitcher
Born: (1972-12-21) December 21, 1972 (age 52) Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
April 29, 1995, for the Minnesota Twins
Last appearance
October 3, 2015, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	75–94
Earned run average	4.31
Strikeouts	983
Saves	127
Teams
Minnesota Twins (1995–2003) Chicago Cubs (2004–2005) San Francisco Giants (2005) Baltimore Orioles (2006) Colorado Rockies (2007) New York Yankees (2008) Houston Astros (2008–2009) Milwaukee Brewers (2010–2011) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2012) New York Mets (2013) Colorado Rockies (2014–2015) Toronto Blue Jays (2015)

LaTroy Hawkins, born on December 21, 1972, is a former professional baseball pitcher from the United States. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 21 years. During his long career, he pitched for many teams. These included the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays.

By the end of the 2020 season, he had pitched in 1,042 games. This was the 10th highest number of games pitched by any player in major league history. He also achieved a special feat: he recorded a save against all 30 MLB teams.

Early Life and Sports

LaTroy Hawkins grew up in Gary, Indiana. His mother and grandparents raised him. When he was young, he played baseball using broom handles. He did not get a real glove until he joined Little League Baseball.

Hawkins went to West Side High School. He was good at basketball and even got a scholarship offer for college basketball. He also competed in track and field. Even though he liked basketball more at first, his grandfather told him baseball was his best sport. So, Hawkins decided to focus on baseball.

Professional Baseball Career

Starting with the Minnesota Twins (1995–2003)

The Minnesota Twins picked Hawkins in the 1991 MLB draft right after high school. He spent four years playing in the Twins' minor league teams. In 1995, he joined the Twins' main team. His first MLB game was on April 29, 1995. It was a tough start, as he gave up many runs.

He was sent back to the minor leagues but returned later that year. In 1996, he started the season with the Twins again. He even struck out 10 batters in one game. However, he was sent back to the minor leagues again that May.

In 1997, Hawkins spent most of the season with the Twins. He started 20 games as a pitcher. The next year, 1998, was his first full season as a starting pitcher for the Twins. He started 33 games, which was the most on the team.

In 1999, he started 33 games again. He won 10 games but lost 14. His earned run average (ERA) was high, meaning he gave up a lot of runs.

Moving to the Bullpen

In 2000, the Twins moved Hawkins to the bullpen. This meant he would come into games later, not start them. He pitched in 66 games and recorded 14 saves. A save is when a pitcher finishes a close game without letting the other team score too much.

In 2001, Hawkins became the team's main closer. He saved his first nine games. But as the season went on, his ERA went up. He was replaced as the closer. He still led the Twins with 28 saves that year.

For the next two seasons (2002 and 2003), Hawkins was a setup man. This means he pitched before the closer. In 2002, he pitched very well, winning all six of his decisions. The Twins won their division and made it to the playoffs. Hawkins pitched well in the first round of the playoffs.

In 2003, he continued to be a strong setup pitcher. His ERA was one of the best in the league. The Twins won their division again. Hawkins became a free agent after the 2003 season.

Playing for the Chicago Cubs (2004–2005)

In 2004, Hawkins signed with the Chicago Cubs. He was supposed to be the setup man for their closer. When the closer got hurt, Hawkins took over the closing duties. On September 11, he threw an "immaculate inning" where he struck out three batters on only nine pitches.

He recorded 25 saves for the Cubs in 2004. However, he also "blew" nine saves. This means he had a chance to save the game but failed. Some of these blown saves happened late in the season and cost the Cubs a chance to make the playoffs. Because of this, some Cubs fans were not happy with him.

In 2005, he blew more saves early in the season. The Cubs then replaced him as closer. In May, the Cubs traded Hawkins to the San Francisco Giants.

Time with the San Francisco Giants (2005)

With the Giants, Hawkins went back to being a setup pitcher. When he returned to play against the Cubs, fans still booed him. He pitched in 45 games for the Giants. In December, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles.

With the Baltimore Orioles (2006)

Hawkins with the Baltimore Orioles in 2006

In 2006, Hawkins pitched for the Baltimore Orioles. He was the setup man for their closer. He played one season with the Orioles. After the season, he became a free agent.

Colorado Rockies (2007)

In 2006, Hawkins signed with the Colorado Rockies. He was meant to be their setup pitcher. He missed some time due to an elbow injury. In 62 games, he had a good ERA.

At the end of the 2007 season, the Rockies played an extra game to get into the playoffs. Hawkins pitched in that game, and the Rockies won! They made the playoffs for the first time ever. Hawkins pitched well in the playoffs as the Rockies won many games in a row. They made it to the World Series but lost to the Boston Red Sox. After the season, he became a free agent.

New York Yankees (2008)

In 2007, Hawkins signed with the New York Yankees. He had worn number 32 before, but the Yankees had retired that number for a famous player. So, he chose number 21. However, fans would yell the old player's name when Hawkins came out. So, he changed his number to 22.

Hawkins pitching for the New York Yankees in 2008

Hawkins did not pitch as well with the Yankees. In July, he was traded to the Houston Astros.

Houston Astros (2008–2009)

After joining the Houston Astros in July 2008, Hawkins pitched very well. He allowed very few runs. He signed a new contract to stay with the Astros for 2009.

In 2009, Hawkins played for the United States national baseball team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Later that season, he filled in as the Astros' closer when their regular closer was hurt. He saved 9 games during that time. He had a very good ERA of 2.13 in 65 games. After the 2009 season, he became a free agent.

Milwaukee Brewers (2010–2011)

In 2009, Hawkins signed a two-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. He had shoulder problems in 2010, which limited him to only 18 games.

In 2011, Hawkins was the setup man for the Brewers' closer. He pitched very well, not allowing a run in 22 straight games. The Brewers won their division and made the playoffs. He pitched well in the playoffs, helping the Brewers win their first series. They lost in the next round. After the season, he became a free agent.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2012)

In 2012, Hawkins signed with the Los Angeles Angels. He missed some time due to a broken finger. He started the season pitching very well for the Angels. However, his performance dropped later in the year. After the season, he became a free agent.

New York Mets (2013)

Hawkins with the New York Mets in 2013

In 2013, Hawkins signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. He thought about retiring, but decided he wanted to leave baseball on his own terms. He earned a spot on the Mets' team. In August, he became the team's closer. He saved 10 games in a row to end the year. He had 13 saves in total that season, his most since 2004. After the season, he became a free agent.

Return to the Colorado Rockies (2014–2015)

In 2013, Hawkins signed to return to the Colorado Rockies. In 2014, at 41 years old, he was the oldest player in the National League.

Hawkins was the Rockies' closer for the 2014 season. He saved his first 10 games of the year. On September 27, he made his 1,000th career appearance in a game. He finished the year with 23 saves.

In 2014, Hawkins announced that 2015 would be his last season in MLB. He started 2015 as the closer but was removed from the role after blowing two saves early on. He also missed time with an injury. In July, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Toronto Blue Jays (2015)

On August 5, 2015, Hawkins achieved a special record. He became the 13th player in MLB history to record a save against all 30 teams. This happened in a game against the Minnesota Twins, the team he started his career with. He also became the oldest Blue Jay to record a save.

He helped the Blue Jays win their division championship in September. Hawkins pitched well for the Blue Jays in the regular season. He made it to the playoffs with them. In the playoffs, he pitched in two series. The Blue Jays were eliminated in the second round. He retired at the end of the 2015 season.

By the end of the 2020 season, his 1,042 games pitched ranked 10th all-time in MLB history.

Pitching Style

When LaTroy Hawkins first started playing, his fastball was around 88-91 miles per hour. He also threw a curveball, slider, and changeup. Later in his career, his fastball became much faster, averaging around 95 miles per hour.

A famous baseball player, Ken Griffey Jr., once asked Hawkins why he threw a slow changeup with such a good fastball. Hawkins said he learned a lot from that question and used it to his advantage. Later in his career, he used his slider and a split-finger fastball more often.

Life Outside Baseball

LaTroy Hawkins is married to Anita, and they have two children, Dakari and Troi. They live in Texas. Hawkins is also the godfather to Patrick Mahomes, who is a famous quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is also good friends with Torii Hunter, a former teammate.

After retiring from playing, Hawkins was hired by the Minnesota Twins. He helps the team with developing pitchers and scouting new players.

Hawkins has also helped with many charities. After Hurricane Katrina, he helped with rebuilding homes. He has also given money to youth baseball programs in his hometown. In 2021, he and his wife helped a woman move to a safer apartment.

In May 2025, Hawkins earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Southern New Hampshire University.