Hessman to be inducted into IL Hall of Fame

2007 IL MVP hit 184 HR over seven seasons in Toledo

Mike Hessman amassed 433 home runs and 1,207 RBIs in a 19-year Minor League career that ended in 2015. (Toledo Mud Hens)

February 13, 2018

The International League announced Mike Hessman, the all-time home run king of the Toledo Mud Hens, the IL and Minor League Baseball, will be inducted into the League's Hall of Fame. Hessman joins Columbus President and General Manager Ken Schnacke as members of the Class of 2018.
The Toledo Mud Hens will host a special pregame induction ceremony to honor Hessman prior to its game on Thursday, August 16 at Fifth Third Field.
A member of the Mud Hens' back-to-back Governors Cup Championship teams in 2005 and 2006, Hessman hit a total of 433 home runs during his minor league career between 1996 and 2015. That includes 288 home runs with four teams in the International League (Toledo, Richmond, Buffalo, Louisville), with 184 of those coming in a Toledo uniform.
Hessman was also named the 2007 IL Most Valuable Player, hitting .254 with 31 home runs and 101 RBI while leading Toledo to a divisional title and the team's last post-season appearance.
Also known as a top-level defensive player and model teammate, Hessman has remained in the Tigers organization as a coach since retiring after the 2015 season. This year, he will serve as hitting coach of Detroit's Eastern League affiliate in Erie, Pennsylvania.