J. J. Hardy

J.J. Hardy
Milwaukee Brewers – No. 7
Shortstop
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
April 4, 2005, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Career statistics (through May 21, 2007)
Hits	181
Home runs	29
Batting Average	.261

James Jerry "J.J." Hardy (born August 19, 1982 in Tucson, AZ) is the starting shortstop for the Major League Baseball team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Hardy was selected by the Brewers in the Second Round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft out of Sabino High School in Tucson, AZ.

Career

Along with Rickie Weeks as the second baseman and Prince Fielder at first base, the Brewers hope to build around Hardy to form a strong infield for years to come.

Hardy's style of play has drawn comparisons to hall-of-famer Robin Yount, also a Brewers shortstop.

J.J. suffered a dislocated shoulder and a torn labrum in 2004 in the minor leagues and sat out the year. He went into Spring Training in 2005 as the frontrunner to win the starting shortstop job. In 2005 Hardy hit .247 with 9 home runs and 50 run batted in.

On May 17, 2006, Hardy slid into Philadelphia Phillies catcher Sal Fasano at home plate trying to score and badly injured his ankle when Fasano attempted to block the plate. X-rays revealed a severe sprain of the ankle, and he was placed on the 15 day DL. Hardy recovered from the sprain, but constantly had trouble with an ankle tendon that kept popping in and out of place. On July 18, the Brewers announced that Hardy would have season ending surgery on his ankle, performed by team physician Dr. William Raasch. [1] Hardy finished the year with an average of .242 with 5 HR and 14 RBI.

2007 has thus far proved to be a breakout year for Hardy who as of May 21 is amongst the leaders in several offensive categories.

Trivia

Hardy, along with teammates Bill Hall, Jeff Suppan, and Chris Capuano, is scheduled to appear in an episode of The Young and the Restless which will air on CBS on June 20.

External links

• J.J. at Baseball Reference
• Hardy player profile at Brewerfan.net

HE IS A BEAST!!!! GO JJ