Glenn Hubbard (baseball)

Glenn Hubbard

Hubbard (right) talks to Greg Norton as first base coach of the Atlanta Braves in 2008
Second baseman
Born: September 25, 1957
Hahn AFB, West Germany
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 14, 1978 for the Atlanta Braves
Last MLB appearance
July 29, 1989 for the Oakland Athletics
Career statistics
Batting average .244
Hits 1,084
Runs 545
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • All-Star (NL): 1983
  • Led NL in Sacrifice Hits (20) in 1982

Glenn Dee Hubbard (born September 25, 1957 in Hahn AFB, West Germany) is a former first base coach for the Atlanta Braves and second baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played from 1978 to 1989. Hubbard played his first ten seasons with the Atlanta Braves and his last two with the Oakland Athletics.

Career

Glenn Hubbard attended Wheatland High School, just outside of Beale AFB, CA, where his father was stationed. He finished high school at Ben Lomond High School when his father moved to Hill Air Force Base near Ogden, Utah. Out of high school, he was a 20th round selection in the 1975 MLB draft and was promoted to the major leagues in 1978. Hubbard hit his first major league home run on September 23, 1978. Hubbard's career with the Braves lasted from 1978 to 1987. Hubbard signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics and played with them in 1988 and 1989.

In 1983, Hubbard had his best season; he hit .263 with 14 home runs and 70 RBI as he earned his only All-Star Game appearance. During his 7th inning at-bat, announcers Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola made numerous light-hearted comments about his full beard, as beards were not in fashion at the time. Hubbard got a single when he hit a hard grounder to another first-time All-Star, Cal Ripken. The ball took a wicked hop that Ripken couldn't handle.

Hubbard was known more for his fielding than his hitting. His willingness to stand in while turning a double play with a runner coming at him and his steady glove made him very valuable for the Braves. He currently holds Braves' team fielding records for second basemen in all categories. He was also an excellent bunter and in 1982 he led the National League in sacrifice hits.

Hubbard's most notable trading card is the 1984 Fleer version in which he has an eight-foot boa constrictor draped around his neck.

Hubbard was the Braves' first base coach from 1999 to 2010 under manager Bobby Cox. When Fredi Gonzalez was hired as the Braves manager on October 13, 2010, Hubbard was not offered a position on his staff. The previous hitting coach, Terry Pendleton, replaced him.

External links