Tim Hudson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tim Hudson
Hudson with the Atlanta Braves in 2008
Pitcher
Born: (1975-07-14) July 14, 1975 (age 50) Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
June 8, 1999, for the Oakland Athletics
Last appearance
October 1, 2015, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	222–133
Earned run average	3.49
Strikeouts	2,080
Teams
Oakland Athletics (1999–2004) Atlanta Braves (2005–2013) San Francisco Giants (2014–2015)
Career highlights and awards
4× All-Star (2000, 2004, 2010, 2014) World Series champion (2014) NL Comeback Player of the Year (2010) AL wins leader (2000) Braves Hall of Fame

Timothy Adam Hudson, known as "Huddy," is a former professional baseball pitcher from the United States. He was born on July 14, 1975. After playing college baseball, Hudson joined Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Oakland Athletics (1999–2004), the Atlanta Braves (2005–2013), and the San Francisco Giants (2014–2015). He even won the World Series with the Giants in 2014, beating the Kansas City Royals. Today, he is the head baseball coach at Lee-Scott Academy in Auburn, Alabama.

During his 17 years playing, Hudson was known as a very steady pitcher. He was an All-Star four times: twice with Oakland, once with Atlanta, and once with San Francisco. Before he retired in 2015, Hudson had more wins than any other active pitcher in MLB. He was also one of only four active pitchers with at least 200 career wins. On July 26, 2015, he won a game against the Oakland A's. This made him the 15th pitcher ever to win a game against all 30 MLB teams. Hudson is also one of only 21 pitchers in MLB history to win at least 200 games, strike out 2,000 batters, and have a winning percentage above .600. Many of these 21 pitchers are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Early Life and College Baseball

Growing Up in Georgia

Timothy Adam Hudson was born on July 14, 1975, in Columbus, Georgia. He went to Glenwood School in Phenix City, Alabama. In his final year of high school, he helped his team win the 1993 AISA state championship. He finished his high school career with a great record of 12 wins and only 1 loss. His ERA was 1.78, which is very good.

Even with his strong record, scouts thought Hudson was too small at 6 feet tall and 160 pounds. Because of this, he did not get a scholarship offer from a big college. So, Hudson decided to attend a local two-year school, Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC).

College Success at CVCC and Auburn

In 1994, his first year at CVCC, Hudson was named a First-team All-American. He helped his team win the AJCCC Division II championship. He was also the best hitter on his team, with a .385 batting average, 9 home runs, and 42 RBI. As a pitcher, he had 10 wins and 2 losses, with 76 strikeouts. His ERA was 2.76.

In his second year, he was named Second-team All-American. He set a school and conference record with 117 strikeouts, which was the most in the nation. As a hitter, Hudson batted .345 with 5 home runs and 29 RBI. His ERA of 1.95 was the best on his team and in the conference.

Before his junior year, Hudson moved to Auburn University, where he played for two seasons. He still holds many school records there. In 1997, he played in all 65 games for the Tigers. He was both a pitcher and an outfielder. That season, he hit .396 with 18 home runs and 95 RBI. As a pitcher, he finished with 15 wins and 2 losses, and a 2.97 ERA. He was named SEC Player of the Year and an All-American. Hudson was the first player to be named First Team All-SEC at two positions (pitcher and outfielder) in the same year. The Oakland Athletics drafted him in the sixth round of the 1997 amateur draft.

Professional Baseball Career

Starting with the Oakland Athletics (1999–2004)

Hudson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics twice. First in 1994, and then again in 1997, when he signed with them.

He made his MLB debut on June 8, 1999, against the San Diego Padres. He pitched five innings and gave up three runs. He earned his first career win in his next game on June 13 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He allowed only one run in seven innings, and the Athletics won 9–3.

Hudson pitching for Oakland

In his first season, Hudson had 11 wins and 2 losses. He finished 5th in the AL Rookie of the Year vote. He became part of Oakland's famous "Big Three" pitchers, along with Mark Mulder and Barry Zito. In 2000, he had a career-high 20 wins for Oakland. He finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting. Over the next three seasons, Hudson continued to pitch well. He had 18 wins in 2001, 15 wins in 2002, and 16 wins in 2003, with a career-low 2.70 ERA. In 2004, Hudson pitched in 27 games due to an injury. He finished with 12 wins and 6 losses. His overall record with the A's was 92 wins and 39 losses, with an ERA of 3.30.

Time with the Atlanta Braves (2005–2013)

Before the 2005 season, Hudson was traded to the Atlanta Braves. On August 6, 2005, Hudson won his 100th career game, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 8–1.

His second season with the Braves in 2006 was not as good. He had his career-high in losses (12) and ERA (4.86). However, he returned to his strong form in 2007. He finished with 16 wins and 10 losses, and a 3.33 ERA. He even had a nine-game winning streak that season. On April 25, he struck out a career-high 13 batters against the Florida Marlins.

On April 29, 2007, both Hudson's grandmother and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock passed away. Hancock was his college teammate at Auburn. Hudson honored them by drawing his grandmother's initials on the pitcher's mound and sewing Hancock's initials (JH) on his jersey.

On August 2, 2008, Hudson announced he would have Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow. This meant he missed the rest of the 2008 season. He started the 2009 season on the injured list and did not play before the All-Star break. After several minor league games to get ready, Hudson returned to the Atlanta Braves on September 1, 2009. He gave up only two runs and earned his first win of the 2009 season.

Hudson in 2009

On November 12, 2009, Hudson signed a new contract with the Braves. On August 28, 2010, against the Florida Marlins, Hudson set a career high with 13 strikeouts. On October 5, 2010, Hudson received the 2010 NL Comeback Player of the Year Award. This award goes to a player who has overcome challenges to perform well.

On June 20, 2011, Hudson hit his second career home run. It was a two-run shot that helped the Braves win 2–0 against the Toronto Blue Jays. On the same day, he got his 1,600th strikeout. On July 15, 2011, Hudson was the winning pitcher in the Braves' 10,000th win in the team's history.

Hudson had 16 wins and 7 losses with a 3.62 ERA in 2012. On April 30, 2013, Hudson reached 200 career wins. He pitched seven innings, giving up only three hits and one run against the Washington Nationals. Hudson also hit a double and a home run in that game. On July 24, 2013, Hudson was pitching a great game against the New York Mets. However, Eric Young, Jr. accidentally stepped on Hudson's leg, causing an ankle fracture. This injury ended Hudson's 2013 season. After the season, Hudson became a free agent. His record with the Braves was 113 wins and 72 losses, with an ERA of 3.56.

Winning the World Series with the San Francisco Giants (2014–2015)

Hudson with the San Francisco Giants

On November 18, 2013, Hudson signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants. Hudson set a team record by pitching for a long time without giving up a walk. This streak ended on April 25, 2014. In his first 13 games with the Giants, he had a very low 1.81 ERA. This was the lowest for a Giants pitcher in 104 years!

In his first year with the Giants, he was chosen for the All-Star Game. This meant he had been an All-Star with every team he played for. On August 27, 2014, Hudson got his 2,000th career strikeout in a game against the Colorado Rockies. Hudson started Game 2 of the 2014 NLDS, which lasted 18 innings. On October 29, Hudson became the oldest pitcher to start Game 7 of the 2014 World Series. The Giants won the game 3–2, and the series 4–3, against the Kansas City Royals. This gave Hudson his first and only World Series ring in his 16-year career.

Before the 2015 season, Hudson said it would likely be his last. On July 26, 2015, after a 4–3 win against the Oakland Athletics, Hudson became the 15th pitcher in MLB history to win a game against all 30 current teams. On September 26, 2015, Hudson started a game against his old teammate Barry Zito and the Athletics. This game was a special tribute to the A's "Big Three" from the early 2000s. Both pitchers received long standing ovations from the crowd when they left the game.

On October 1, Hudson started his last career MLB game. The Giants manager, Bruce Bochy, made a pitching change so Hudson could receive a standing ovation from his family, friends, and fans. As he walked off the mound, all his teammates and coaches greeted him. On October 3, the Giants honored Hudson with a special ceremony. His family, friends, teammates, and coaches were all there. Hudson gave an emotional speech to the crowd.

Pitching Style

Hudson was known for throwing a "sinkerball" about half the time. This pitch would sink as it reached the batter. He also threw a cutter, a curveball, and a splitter. He also had a four-seam fastball. He used his cutter a lot when he had two strikes on right-handed hitters.

Achievements and Awards

• Professional

* 2010 Hutch Award winner * Nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award twice (2006, 2007). This award goes to a player who performs well on the field and helps their community. * Held a Major League record for the longest streak of 10 or more wins and nine or fewer losses in a season (seven straight from 1999 to 2005). * 2010 Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award * Four-time All-Star (2000, 2004, 2010, 2014) * Finished in the Top 10 for the Cy Young Award three times (2000–01, 2003). * Led MLB in winning percentage (2000). * Led the AL in wins (20, 2000). * Led the AL in games started (35, 2001). * Led the AL in shutouts twice (2003–04). * Won 15 or more games five times (2000–03, 2007). * Was the Athletics' Opening-Day starter three times (2001, 2003, 2004). * Pitched three complete-game one-hitters (August 28, 2000; May 1, 2006; May 4, 2011). * Won his 200th career game on April 30, 2013. * 2014 World Series Champion. * On July 26, 2015, became the 15th pitcher to record a win against all 30 major-league clubs.

• College

* Won Rotary Smith Award (1997). * Consensus All-American (1997). * NCAA East Regional Tournament MVP (1997). * SEC Player of the Year (1997). * All-SEC as both a pitcher and outfielder (1997). * Led NCAA in wins (15, 1997).

Coaching Career

In 2016, Hudson worked as a guest instructor for both the Braves and Giants during their spring training. He continued this role for the Giants in 2017 and for the Braves in 2018. In January 2020, Hudson was named the pitching coach for the Auburn Tigers baseball team.

On July 27, 2022, it was announced that Hudson would be leaving Auburn. Soon after, Hudson became the Head Coach of the Lee-Scott Academy baseball team.

Broadcasting Career

In 2016, Hudson joined Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast. He worked as a part-time broadcaster for some Braves games.

Personal Life

Hudson is married to Kim Bruner, whom he met while at Auburn University. They have two daughters and one son. They live in Auburn, Alabama. Hudson is a Christian and has spoken about how his faith has helped him through challenges in his career. He also tries to be a good example for others.

Helping Others

Hudson and his wife are very involved in helping children through their charity, the Hudson Family Foundation.

See Also