Hinske swings, but the ball is already in the catcher's glove
Look out homer-happy Yankee Stadium, a potent new bat with a knack for striking out has arrived in the Bronx. His name: Eric Hinske. The Yankees picked up the former American League Rookie of the Year today from Pittsburgh, where he was hitting .255 with one homer in just 106 at-bats this season. Hinske was a contributor with Tampa Bay in 2008, hitting 20 home runs, his most since the 24 he hit in his magical rookie season with Toronto in 2002.
In all honesty, I don’t mind Hinske all that much despite the fact he struck out about three thousand times in five years with the Jays. He actually played well his last season in Toronto — 2005 — before being traded to Boston in August. After losing his starting job at the beginning of the year, he bounced around between a handful of positions, hitting 12 homers in just 78 games while not complaining about his reduced role. For that, I commend you, Eric Hinske. Now, as a member of the Yankees, I will again turn against you.
