Mike Hessman is the new minor league home run king.
Hessman, who is playing for the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate in Toledo, hit a grand slam tonight for his 433rd minor league home run. By doing so, he passed Buzz Arlett for first on the all-time list in United States-based minor league baseball. Arlett had held the record for 80 years.
Hessman, now 37, has played a grand total of 109 games in the majors and made his last appearance in 2010 as a member of the Mets. There’s something bittersweet about setting the all-time minor league home run mark, but you have to admire his perseverance. HBT sends along congratulations for the accomplishment.
According to Lynn Henning of the Detroit News, Hessman intends to go into coaching or managing after this season.
