Hessman sets minor league HR record with No. 433

Published August 06, 2015

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) Call him the real-life Crash Davis.

Mike Hessman, an infielder for Triple-A Toledo in the Detroit Tigers' system, became the career home run leader for U.S.-based minor leagues Monday night, hitting his 433rd in the seventh inning of a game against Lehigh Valley.

Davis was the character played by Kevin Costner in the movie ''Bull Durham'' who set the minor league record for homers.

Hessman reached the actual mark in style, hitting a grand slam to break a tie on the career list with Buzz Arlett.

According to the Society for American Baseball Research, Hector Espino hit 484 minor league home runs, but he hit most of them in the Mexican League, which is not part of the affiliated minor league system.

The 37-year-old Hessman has played 109 games in the major leagues for Atlanta, Detroit and the New York Mets. He has not appeared in the majors since 2010. He's hit 14 homers in the majors, batting .188 overall.

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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/hessman-sets-minor-league-hr-record-with-no-433