Corey Hart

Jon Corey Hart (born March 24, 1982) is an American former professional baseball right fielder.

Prior to being drafted in the 11th round of the 2000 MLB Draft, Hart played for the Greenwood High School Gators in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Hart also played basketball for four years for the Gators for Coach Jason Couch.

On the diamond, he played nearly every position, routinely in the middle infield and even pitching in relief for Coach Chris Decker.

Hart's jersey is retired by Greenwood and hangs from the rafters in the school's gymnasium.

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.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2004 through 2013, the Seattle Mariners in 2014 and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015.

Hart was a two-time MLB All-Star, and also participated in the MLB Home Run Derby.

Playing there, he moved up to the Class AAA Indianapolis Indians by 2004.

Hart made his MLB debut with the Brewers on May 25, 2004.

In 2005, Hart batted .308 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs in 113 games for the triple-A Nashville Sounds.

While there, Hart played alongside future major league teammates Prince Fielder and J. J. Hardy.

He also had 31 stolen bases, a relatively unusual feat for a player as tall as the 6ft 6in Hart.

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.

Hart continued to play in both the minor and major leagues through 2006, and was regarded as one of Milwaukee's top prospects.

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.

Hart also led off for the Brewers for almost half of the 2007 season when second baseman Rickie Weeks was on the disabled list.

During spring training prior to the 2007 season, Hart, who stands at 6ft 6in, recorded the fastest 60 yard dash of any player on the Brewers roster.

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

In 2007, Hart became the first Brewer since 2003 to steal 20 bases and hit 20 home runs in a single season.

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.

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).

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

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

May 29, 2010 Hart hit his first major league grand slam.

In that game against the Mets he had two home runs.

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 Home Run Derby.

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.

Along with Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, and Casey McGehee, the Brewers had one of the best top five slots in MLB.

Hart played American Legion Baseball and was named the program's Graduate of the Year for 2011.

As of September 2011, he and Ryan Braun were the only two Brewers to have two 20-steals/20-homers seasons in their careers.

On May 23, 2011, Hart tied the Brewers records for home runs in a game with three and RBIs with seven.

Hart had another productive 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 remained first in the batting order in the playoffs due to his success in the slot during the regular season.

Hart started the 2012 season as the Brewers regular right fielder, but injuries to Brewers first basemen Mat Gamel and Travis Ishikawa resulted in Hart becoming the Brewers regular first baseman, where he ended up having a successful season, recording a .995 fielding percentage playing in over 100 games at first base.

He had a productive offensive season with the Brewers in 2012, batting .270 with 30 home runs and 83 RBIs.

Hart had surgery on his left knee in January 2013, and missed the entire 2013 season.