Major League Career
Hart made his MLB debut with the Brewers on May 25, 2004. 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 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. May 29, 2010 Hart hit his first major league grand slam. In that game against the Mets he had two home runs.
During Spring Training prior to the 2007 season, Hart, who stands at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 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. As of September 2011, he and Ryan Braun were the only two Brewers to have two 20-steals/20-homers seasons in their careers.
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 Brewers player in team 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.
Hart hit three home runs in three consecutive plate appearances against the Mets on May 28–29, 2010. The home runs included his first career walk off home run on May 28 and first career grand slam on May 29.
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 State Farm Home Run Derby.
Hart's at-bat music is 'Until the Whole World Hears' by Casting Crowns. He is also the drummer of Milwaukee rock legends Deep Tuna.
In July 2010, San Diego Padres Manager Bud Black had a friendly conversation with Hart at the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby. Bud Black told him that many of the home runs he hit at the home run derby would be home runs at Petco Park. Bud Black and the Padres had interest in getting Hart.
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 the MLB.
On May 23, 2011 Hart tied the Brewers records for home runs in a game (three) and RBIs with (seven).
Hart had another good 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.
On April 7, 2012, while hitting 5th against the St. Louis Cardinals, Hart went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two home runs. It was his 12th multi-home run game.
Hart had a productive offensive season with the Brewers in 2012, batting .270 with 30 home runs and 83 RBIs.
Read more about this topic: Corey Hart (baseball)
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