Bob Hamelin

Robert James (Bob) Hamelin (/ˈhæmlᵻn/; born November 29, 1967 in Elizabeth, New Jersey) is a former first baseman and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. From 1993 through 1998, Hamelin played for the Kansas City Royals (1993–96), Detroit Tigers (1997) and Milwaukee Brewers (1998). He batted and threw left-handed.

In a six-season career, Hamelin posted a .246 batting average with 67 home runs and 209 RBIs in 497 games played. His stint as a professional player was marred by leg injuries, both in the minors and majors. He also suffered from an eye problem.

As of 2012, Hamelin is serving as a Major League scout in the Boston Red Sox organization.

Playing career

High school and college

After a long and illustrious career in the Randolph Little League, the Hamelin family moved from their home in Randolph, New Jersey, to Irvine, California, when Bob Hamelin was 12 years old. Hamelin attended Irvine High School where he excelled in both football and baseball and was named the School's Athlete of the Year as a senior. The University of Notre Dame recruited him to play football, however Hamelin had already decided to pursue a career in baseball. Hamelin enrolled in Santa Ana College after graduating from high school and played on the school's baseball team. Soon thereafter the young baseball prospect transferred to UCLA, where he continued to play baseball for his new school.