MLB’s One-Season Wonders: Bob Hamelin and 1994
Lost players and lost seasons don’t often go hand in hand. 1994 was significant for many reasons in baseball, but the biggest was the player’s strike. There was no World Series and the sport seemed to be on the brink of collapse. One bright side, however, was Kansas City Royal Bob Hamelin.
Before 1994
Hamelin’s roots came from Jersey and Southern California. His college route took him through UCLA, earning a reputation as a stocky first baseman/designated hitter. The Royals drafted Hamelin in the second round of the 1988 draft.
Hamelin cruised through minor league action flexing his muscles and hitting as many as 29 home runs in a season. This earned Hamelin a call-up late in the 1993 season. It seemed the Royals had their designated hitter inked.
1994
Rising tension throughout the league dealing with the disparity in terms of pay left a bitter taste in the mouths of the baseball community. A strike was imminent, yet games were still played. This also meant Hamelin was the Kansas City Royals’ everyday DH.
This opportunity took him further than what many expected. Hamelin slashed .282/.382/.599 with an OPS+ of 147, clubbing 24 homers accompanied by 25 doubles.
Regarding American League rankings, he was fifth in slugging and OPS. Hamelin placed ninth in home runs and fourth in at-bats per home run. Fans and players coined him the fitting nickname of “the Hammer.”
Luckily our man in question earned Rookie of The Year for his contributions. What’s crazy is him edging out fellow future sluggers Manny Ramirez and Jim Edmonds. Sadly, Hamelin could never replicate this excellent season.
After 1994
The following years were rocky for Bob Hamelin. Never again did he hit above .280 nor hit 20 home runs. He had a slight resurgence with the Tigers in 1997, hitting 18 dingers but health and limited playing time forced him to the minors the following year.
In 1998 at the age of 30, Hamelin abruptly quit baseball for good after grounding out for the Toledo Mud Hens. Hamelin told his manager verbatim, “I’m done.”
From 1995 through his ’98 retirement, had a subpar slash of .235/.342/.420 with 41 home runs through 380 games. Hamelin’s OPS+ amounted to a below-average 97 with a combined WAR of -0.2. It’s sad to see what could’ve been for the hammer.
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