Corey Hart (baseball)

Corey Hart
Milwaukee Brewers — No. 1
Right fielder
Born: March 24, 1982 (1982-03-24) (age 29) Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 25, 2004 for the Milwaukee Brewers
Career statistics (through 2011)
Batting average	.277
Home runs	124
Hits	798
Teams
Milwaukee Brewers (2004–present)
Career highlights and awards
2× All-Star selection (2008, 2010)

Jon Corey Hart, nicknamed "The Wolfman" (born March 24, 1982) is an American baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers.

High school career

Prior to being drafted in the 11th round of the 2000 MLB Draft,^[1] Hart played for the Greenwood High School Gators in Bowling Green, Kentucky.^[2] Hart also played basketball for four years for the Gators for Coach Jason Couch.^[3] On the diamond, he played nearly every position, routinely in the middle infield and even pitching in relief.^[2] Hart's jersey is retired by Greenwood and hangs from the rafters in the school's gymnasium. Corey "Likes to baseball."

Minor League career

Hart started his career in 2000 with the Rookie League Ogden Raptors, primarily playing at first base. He moved up to the single-A High Desert Mavericks and then the double-A Huntsville Stars by the 2002 season; defensive problems caused Hart to be moved to the outfield.^[4] Playing there, he moved up to the Class AAA Indianapolis Indians by 2004.

In 2005, Hart batted .308 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs in 113 games for the triple-A Nashville Sounds.^[2] While there, Hart played alongside future major league teammates Prince Fielder and JJ Hardy.^[5] He also had 31 stolen bases, a relatively unusual feat for a player as tall as the 6'6" (1.98 m) Hart.^[6] Hart continued to play in both the minor and major leagues through 2006, and was regarded as one of Milwaukee's top prospects.^[7]

Major League career

Hart made his MLB debut with the Brewers on May 25, 2004.^[1] Hart's next appearance in the majors was Sunday, August 14, 2005, when he hit his first career MLB home run, a three-run blast against the Cincinnati Reds into the Upper Deck at Miller Park.^[8] Hart played 87 games for the major league club in 2006 and was with the Brewers for the entire 2007 season, mainly seeing action in right-field.^[1] Hart also led off for the Brewers for almost half of the 2007 season when second baseman Rickie Weeks was on the disabled list.^[1] May 29, 2010 Hart hit his first major league grand slam. In that game against the Mets he had two home runs.

During Spring Training prior to the 2007 season, Hart, who stands at 6'6", recorded the fastest 60 yard dash of any player on the Brewers roster.^[9]

During the 2007 season, Hart had a 22-game hitting streak^[10] which was finally snapped in a July 7 game against the Washington Nationals, as Hart went 0–4 with a walk.^[11]

In 2007, Hart became the first Brewer since 2003 to steal 20 bases and hit 20 home runs in a single season.^[12] As of September 2011, he and Ryan Braun were the only two Brewers to have two 20-steals/20-homers seasons in their careers.^[13]

In 2008, Hart was selected as an outfielder to the National League team at the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which took place on July 15 at Yankee Stadium.^[1] He was voted in by the fans as a final vote in which he beat out David Wright of the Mets as well as Pat Burrell of the Phillies, Aaron Rowand of the Giants, and Carlos Lee of the Astros (a former Brewer himself).^[14]

On August 30, 2008 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Hart became the first Brewers player in team history to have back to back 20–20 seasons.^[15]

Hart reached base on an error 14 times in 2008, more than any other batter in the NL.^[16]

Hart hit three home runs in three consecutive plate appearances against the Mets on May 28–29, 2010. The home runs included his first career walk off home run on May 28 and first career grand slam on May 29.

In July 2010, Hart was voted by his peers to not only play in the All-Star Game in Anaheim, but also was selected by MLB officials to participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby.

Hart's at-bat music is 'Until the Whole World Hears' by Casting Crowns. He is also the drummer of Milwaukee rock legends Deep Tuna. He is the only member. He drums, plays a fierce cello, and unleashes his heavenly vocals upon the crowds at the local bars. This man is indeed amazing.

In July 2010, San Diego Padres Manager Bud Black had a friendly conversation with Hart at the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby. Bud Black told him that many of the home runs he hit at the home run derby would be home runs at Petco Park. Bud Black and the Padres had interest in getting Hart.^[17]

Hart had a breakout season in 2010 statistically. As the regular Brewers right fielder, he posted a career best 31 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a .283 batting average. Corey also has a .566 batting average when the moon is full. Along with Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, and Casey McGehee, the Brewers had one of the best top 5 slots in the MLB.

On May 23, 2011 Hart tied the Brewers records for home runs in a game with 3 and RBI with 7.

Hart had another very good regular season with the Brewers in 2011, posting 26 home runs, and 63 RBIs with a .285 batting average, .386 OBP, and .866 OPS. Hart's drop in home runs and RBIs is a result of missing the first month of the season with an injury, and being moved to bat first in the order in July, limiting the number of RBI chances he had. Hart remains 1st in the batting order in the playoffs due to his success in the slot during the regular season.

Tools

Hart has become a very versatile outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. He is the regular starter in right field, and has flashes of great defensive aptitude.

Hart's normal slotting in the batting order was second as a legitimate power threat before Braun and Fielder, forcing opposing pitchers to go through a very powerful heart of the order. During the injury of Rickie Weeks in July of the 2011 regular season, in which Weeks would be on the DL for nearly 2 months, Hart was moved to first in the line up, and he has stayed there since Weeks' return (Weeks having been moved to fifth). This makes Hart the tallest leadoff hitter in Major League Baseball.

Hart is capable of hitting for average, power, and has great speed on the bases despite his size, making him a good lead off hitter for the Brewers, if a bit unorthodox.

Personal

Hart returns home to Bowling Green whenever possible and is active with local charities. ^[18] Corey is the son of Johnnie and Donna Hart and has two sisters, Tabitha and Ali.^[19][19] He has said that he would be either a teacher or coach if he were not a baseball player.^[18]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Baseball-Reference. "Corey Hart Statistics and History". http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hartco01.shtml. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} The Baseball Cube. "Corey Hart – The Baseball Cube". http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/H/Corey-Hart.shtml. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
3. ^ Ron Harrison. "Fifth Third Bank Kentucky Holiday Classic". http://www.angelfire.com/ky/prephoops/9900/FIFTH99.html. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
4. ^ Tom Haudricourt (June 30, 2003). "Rising Stars". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20030630/ai_n10888574. 
5. ^ Baseball-Reference. "2005 Nashville Sounds Statistics". http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=26155. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
6. ^ Tom Haudricourt (February 5, 2006). "Outlook on Weeks' recovery? Thumb's up". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20060205/ai_n16051401. Retrieved July 2, 2009. ^{[dead link]}
7. ^ John Manuel (November 21, 2005). "Top 10 Prospects: Milwaukee Brewers". Baseball America. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/features/05top10s/brewers.html. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
8. ^ Retrosheet. "Retrosheet Boxscore: Milwaukee Brewers 8, Cincinnati Reds 3". http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2005/B08140MIL2005.htm. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
9. ^ Jonathan Mayo. "Brewers boasting homegrown talent". Minor League Baseball. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070306&content_id=187525&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
10. ^ Baseball Digest (August 2008). "Players with 20-game hitting streaks, one season". Baseball Digest. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_6_67/ai_n27888583/. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
11. ^ Retrosheet. "Retrosheet Boxscore: Washington Nationals 5, Milwaukee Brewers 4". http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2007/B07070WAS2007.htm. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
12. ^ David Golebiewski (November 17, 2008). "Corey Hart's Hacking Ways". Fangraphs. http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/corey-harts-hacking-ways. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
13. ^ "Fascinating facts from Friday's games". mlb.com. August 18, 2002. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110806&content_id=22832988&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb. Retrieved August 23, 2011. 
14. ^ Mark Newman (July 10, 2008). "Longoria, Hart are fans' final All-Stars". Major League Baseball. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080710&content_id=3107903&vkey=allstar2008&fext=.jsp. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
15. ^ Todd Farino (March 28, 2009). "Player Spotlights – Scott Kazmir and Corey Hart". Bleacher Report. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/146891-player-spotlights-scott-kazmir-and-corey-hart. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
16. ^ "2008 Major League Baseball Baserunning/Misc". Baseball-Reference.com. http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-baserunning-batting.shtml. Retrieved October 3, 2011. 
17. ^ July 18, 2010 - 6:20 PM ET (July 18, 2010). "Padres interested in OF Corey Hart". Nbcsports.msnbc.com. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38301572/ns/sports-player_news/. Retrieved October 3, 2011. 
18. ^ ^{a b} Major League Baseball. "Corey Hart: Biography and Career Highlights". http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=430611. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 
19. ^ ^{a b} NNDB. "Corey Hart". http://www.nndb.com/people/914/000173395/. Retrieved July 2, 2009. 

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Persondata
Name	Hart, Corey
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	March 24, 1982
Place of birth	Bowling Green, Kentucky
Date of death
Place of death