Minor league home run king Mike Hessman to retire

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, left, playing for the Toledo... — Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, left, playing for the Toledo Mud Hens in a rehab start, talks to catcher Miguel Gonzalez, right, and first baseman Mike Hessman, center, in the sixth inning during a Triple-A game against the Columbus Clippers in Toledo, Ohio on Saturday, June 6, 2015. Credit: AP / Rick Osentoski

November 28, 2015

Minor league home run king Mike Hessman says he is retiring as a player and will pursue a career as a coach.

Hessman, who played 32 games for the 2010 Mets, confirmed his decision in a text to The Associated Press Saturday.

Hessman became the career home run leader for U.S.-based minor leagues in August when he hit a grand slam and passed Buzz Arlett with his 433rd homer.

Hessman, 37, often is compared to Crash Davis, Kevin Costner's character in the movie "Bull Durham."

Hessman was a 15th-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 1996 and spent 19 seasons in the minors. He also played in 109 major-league games -- for the Braves, Tigers and Mets -- spanning five seasons.

He last appeared in the majors in 2010, when he hit .127 (three singles, two doubles, a triple and a homer) for the Mets. He also spent a season in the Pacific League in Japan.

Hessman played the final two years of his career with Triple-A Toledo in the Detroit Tigers system. He hit .237 with 16 home runs and 57 RBIs this season.