Mike Hegan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mike Hegan |
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Hegan with the Seattle Pilots in 1969
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| First baseman / Outfielder | |||
| Born: July 21, 1942 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
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| Died: December 25, 2013 (aged 71) Hilton Head, South Carolina, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 13, 1964, for the New York Yankees | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 8, 1977, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .242 | ||
| Home runs | 53 | ||
| Runs batted in | 229 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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James Michael Hegan (born July 21, 1942 – died December 25, 2013) was an American professional baseball player. He played as a first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for three different teams between 1964 and 1977. After his playing career, he became a sports commentator. Mike Hegan was also the son of Jim Hegan, a famous catcher for the Cleveland Indians.
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Mike Hegan's Early Life and Baseball Start
Mike Hegan grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He went to Saint Ignatius High School. After high school, he attended College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He earned scholarships to play both football and baseball there.
In August 1961, Hegan signed a contract with the New York Yankees. He chose the Yankees even though 14 other major league teams wanted to sign him. He later continued his college studies at John Carroll University.
Playing in the Minor Leagues
Before playing in the major leagues, Hegan spent time playing for different minor league teams. These teams were part of the Yankees' organization. He played for teams like the Fort Lauderdale Yankees and the Idaho Falls Yankees. He also played for the Columbus Confederate Yankees, the Toledo Mud Hens, and the Syracuse Chiefs.
Mike Hegan's Major League Baseball Career
Mike Hegan played for several teams during his time in Major League Baseball. He was known for his skills at first base and in the outfield.
First Time with the New York Yankees
Hegan first joined the New York Yankees in 1964. He played in five games that year. He was even added to the Yankees' roster for the 1964 World Series. The Yankees lost the series to the St. Louis Cardinals. Hegan played in three World Series games, getting one walk and scoring one run.
He played more games for the Yankees in 1966 and 1967. In June 1968, the Yankees sold his contract to a new team, the Seattle Pilots.
Playing for the Seattle Pilots
The Seattle Pilots were a new team joining MLB in 1969. Hegan played 95 games for them in their first season. He hit his first home run for the team in his very first time at bat on April 8. He was chosen to play in the 1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. However, he couldn't play due to an injury. His teammate, Don Mincher, took his place. This made them the only two All-Stars from the Seattle Pilots team.
Time with the Milwaukee Brewers
After the 1969 season, the Seattle Pilots team moved and became the Milwaukee Brewers. Hegan played 148 games for the Brewers in 1970. He hit 11 home runs and had 52 RBI.
During the 1970 season, Hegan started an amazing streak. He played 178 games at first base without making any errors. This was an American League record for a long time. Kevin Youkilis finally broke this record in 2007. In the middle of the 1971 season, Hegan's contract was sold to the Oakland Athletics.
Winning with the Oakland Athletics
Hegan joined the Oakland Athletics in the second half of the 1971 season. He mostly played as a pinch hitter or as a defensive replacement. In 1972, Hegan played in 98 games. The Athletics made it to the 1972 World Series and won against the Cincinnati Reds. Hegan played in six games during the series. He made a great play in Game 2, helping his team win.
In 1973, Hegan stayed with the Athletics until August. Then, he was sent back to the New York Yankees.
Second Time with the New York Yankees
When Hegan returned to the New York Yankees in 1973, he became their regular first baseman. He played 37 games and hit six home runs. His father, Jim Hegan, was actually the Yankees' bullpen coach at this time.
On September 30, 1973, Mike Hegan was the last batter to play in the original Yankee Stadium before it was renovated. He played for the Yankees until May 1974. Then, his contract was sold back to the Brewers.
Second Time with the Milwaukee Brewers
Hegan played for the Milwaukee Brewers again from May 1974 until July 1977. During this time, he played in 297 games. On September 3, 1976, he made history for the Brewers. He became the first player for the team to hit for the cycle. This means he hit a single, a double, a triple, and a home run all in the same game. The Brewers won that game 11–2 against the Detroit Tigers.
Mike Hegan's major league career ended when the Brewers released him on July 15, 1977.
Career Highlights and Statistics
Over his 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, Mike Hegan played in 966 games. He had a batting average of .242. He hit 53 home runs and had 229 RBI. He was also a very good defensive player, especially at first base. His fielding percentage was .995 at first base, which means he made very few errors.
Life After Playing Baseball: Broadcasting Career
After he stopped playing baseball, Mike Hegan became a television color commentator. He worked for the Milwaukee Brewers for 12 seasons. In 1989, he joined the Cleveland Indians as a commentator. He worked for the Indians on both radio and television for 23 seasons. He retired after the 2011 season. However, he did fill in for one game in 2012.
Mike Hegan's Personal Life and Legacy
Mike Hegan was honored for his achievements. In 1989, he was inducted into the St. Ignatius High School Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2011, he was also inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.
After retiring from broadcasting, Hegan worked as an "alumni ambassador" for the Cleveland Indians. He passed away on December 25, 2013, at his home in Hilton Head, South Carolina. He was 71 years old and died due to heart failure.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle
- List of second-generation Major League Baseball players
- List of Cleveland Indians broadcasters
