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Craig Hansen

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For the American novelist, see Craig J. Hansen.
Craig Hansen
Hansen with the Boston Red Sox
Pitcher
Born: (1983-11-15) November 15, 1983 (age 40)
Glen Cove, New York
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 19, 2005, for the Boston Red Sox
Last MLB appearance
April 19, 2009, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
Win–loss record4–9
Earned run average6.34
Strikeouts70
Teams

Craig Robert Hansen (born November 15, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He previously played for the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates. A closer out of St. John's University, Hansen was drafted in 2005 and quickly made his major league debut, but has since spent most of his career in minor league baseball. At 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m), Hansen reportedly can reach 97–98 miles per hour (156–158 km/h) with his fastball and mixes in a hard slider.[1]

College career

Hansen's collegiate career began at St. John's University in 2003, where he pitched for the St. John's Red Storm. Hansen selected St. John's over Columbia University, Yale University, and Hofstra University.[2][3]

While he struggled during his freshman campaign in 2003, Hansen began to establish himself as a closer during his sophomore season in 2004.

In 2004, Hansen played collegiate summer baseball for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL). A league all-star, he posted 10 saves and 41 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched without allowing an earned run. In 2018, he was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame.[4][5]

Hansen posted a 3-2 record with 14 saves in his junior season of 2005, registering 85 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched, a 1.68 ERA, and was named a first-team All-American by Baseball America.[6][7]

Pro career

Boston Red Sox

With the 26th pick in the first round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, the Boston Red Sox selected Hansen and signed him to a four-year deal valued at $4 million.[1] The Red Sox added him to the 40-man roster, assigning Hansen to a conditioning stint in Fort Myers before sending him to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. Hansen joined the Boston Red Sox as a late season call-up, making his major league debut on September 19 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Hansen struck out the first man he faced, pitching a perfect inning with two strikeouts, and would make three more appearances before the end of the season.[8]

After starting the 2006 season in Portland and Pawtucket, Hansen was recalled on June 6 by the Red Sox. On June 26, Hansen earned his first major league win in an extra-inning game against the Philadelphia Phillies. On August 20, Hansen entered a tie game against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning only to allow a game-winning home run to Jason Giambi and a two-run home run to Jorge Posada.[9] Hansen would end the season with a 6.63 ERA. During spring training for the 2007 season, manager Terry Francona suggested that the team may have rushed Hansen to the majors too quickly.[10]

In 2007 at Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, he went 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA but did not get a promotion to the eventual World Series Champion Red Sox. Hansen also played in the developmental Arizona Fall League to get extra work in after missing some of the season with forearm tenderness.[11] During the off-season, Hansen underwent surgery in the hopes of correcting the sleep apnea condition that may have affected his stamina and pitching performance.[12]

Hansen reported to Red Sox spring training in 2008 and initial reports suggested that the team was impressed with his performance.[13]

On July 31, 2008, Hansen was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates along with Brandon Moss in a three-team deal that sent Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Jason Bay to the Boston Red Sox.[14]

Pittsburgh Pirates

On August 27, 2008, the Pirates optioned Hansen to AAA (Indianapolis Indians). This move was made after Hansen allowed four earned runs without recording an out against the Chicago Cubs the previous night.[15] Hansen was recalled to the Pirates on September 2.[16]

In 2009, Hansen was diagnosed with brachial plexus neuropathy, a rare condition causing pain, weakness, and numbness in the arms, shoulders, and upper back.[17] Recovery is usually complete, but can take as long as five years.[17] Hansen was able to pitch in a limited number of minor league games in 2010, but was not at full effectiveness, and the Pirates released him in early 2011.[18]

New York Mets

Hansen signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on July 24, 2012.[19] The Mets released Hansen in March 2013.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b Snow, Chris (July 25, 2005). "Rookie closer gets start on pro career". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  2. ^ "Player Bio: Craig Hansen". St. John's University. Archived from the original on May 12, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  3. ^ "Craig Hansen Biography". Craig-Hansen.com. Retrieved March 21, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) [dead link]
  4. ^ "2004 Harwich Mariners". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "2018 Cape League Hall of Fame Class Announced". Cape Cod Baseball. June 10, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "St. John's Pitcher Craig Hansen Earns First Team All-American Honors". St. John's University. June 15, 2005. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  7. ^ "Craig Hansen Statistics". The Baseball Cube. Archived from the original on May 4, 2008. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  8. ^ Browne, Ian (September 20, 2005). "Notes: Hansen, Ramirez get the call: Red Sox's top prospects join club for stretch run". Boston Red Sox. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  9. ^ "Boxscore — NY Yankees Vs. Boston Red Sox August 20, 2006". The Baseball Cube. August 20, 2006. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  10. ^ Shaughnessy, Dan (March 28, 2007). "Hansen, Delcarmen sent down: Snyder claims spot in bullpen". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  11. ^ Benjamin, Amalie (September 19, 2007). "Muscle still missing from lineup: Fall ball for Hansen". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  12. ^ Browne, Ian (February 12, 2008). "Refreshed Hansen bursting with energy: Young reliever feeling great following sleep apnea surgery". Boston Red Sox. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  13. ^ Edes, Gordon (March 1, 2008). "Matsuzaka comfortable". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  14. ^ "Ramirez traded to Dodgers in three-way deal". ESPN. July 31, 2008. Retrieved April 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "Pirates send Hansen to minors". Sports Illustrated. August 27, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2008. [dead link]
  16. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates Transactions: September 2008". MLB.com. September 2, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ a b Kovacevic, Dejan (August 5, 2009). "Pirates Notebook: Hansen's recovery uncertain". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "Pirates Release Former Red Sox Prospect Craig Hansen". CBS Boston. April 6, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Mets sign Craig Hansen". New York Mets. July 24, 2012. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  20. ^ Todd, Jeff (March 30, 2013). "Minor Moves: Paulino, Mets, Jeroloman". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

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