Major League Baseball

Hammock in big leagues for first time since '08

Published Sep. 3, 2011 2:22 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Robby Hammock's playing career is in the home stretch. In fact, he had already begun to think about taking the next step into coaching before getting another shot at Triple-A this season.

Now, he's with the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks for the stretch run - back in the big leagues after a three-year absence in which the veteran catcher and utilityman more than once thought about hanging up his cleats.

An improbable return, for sure. This is the guy who was behind the plate for Randy Johnson's perfect game way back in 2004.

''It caught me so off guard,'' Hammock said Friday, scrambling through the clubhouse to get his work done, leave tickets and greet the pitchers and other teammates. ''I understand. I've seen crazier things happen in the game, but that was the last thing on my mind at the time. I was numb for a good hour trying to process everything. Obviously it wasn't something that was based on performance for the season. It has more to do with history and experience and the team here being in a playoff race. Who knows, I might not get an at-bat this whole month.''

Or he just might.

The D-backs selected Hammock's contract from Triple-A Reno on Friday, another addition by general manager Kevin Towers for the pennant push after first-place Arizona added four players Thursday when rosters expanded. The D-backs held a six-game division lead and were riding a nine-game winning streak heading into Friday night's opener of a key weekend series against the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

The 34-year-old Hammock caught the Big Unit's perfect game on May 18, 2004, but has played only parts of five seasons in the majors and none since making 18 appearances with the D-backs in '08.

Why not walk away rather than toiling in the minors?

''I love playing. I love the game. I love playing the game,'' he said. ''I thought if this happened, it would be more as a coach. I can still play. It's not like I'm dead by any means. I know what I'm doing. Sometimes you just go out and play the game and things happen.''

Hammock batted .257 (26 for 101) with five home runs and 21 RBIs in 37 games for Reno this season.

The NL West leaders on Thursday reinstated infielder Geoff Blum and left-hander Alberto Castillo from the disabled list, and recalled right-handers Ryan Cook and Sam Demel from Reno.

Hammock will be the No. 3 catcher, but his ability to play anywhere made him the obvious choice to Towers and manager Kirk Gibson for a late-season promotion. He could be called upon off the bench in extra-innings games or as a defensive replacement at several spots. He also plays the infield and outfield.

''He can play anywhere, really, on the whole diamond,'' Gibson said. ''He was probably a little surprised. But again, knowing what we're after, it was pretty much consensus that he was the guy because of all of his experience. He's caught a perfect game. ... He's very smart and he brings a lot to the table for us.''

A 23rd-round draft pick by the D-backs in 1998, Hammock is a career .255 hitter with 12 homers, four triples, 30 doubles and 48 RBIs in 180 games.

''We have guys who haven't been around for a while but they have the experience that we're looking for down the stretch to lead the younger guys,'' reliever Brad Ziegler said. ''It's a big deal. Just to have their presence in the locker room is huge.''

Hammock sent an email last offseason to D-backs farm director Mike Bell about throwing his name in the mix to be a coach in the organization if he didn't get a playing job.

''He called me back and said: 'Hey, you might be able to play this year. It will be under these circumstances in Triple-A. It might include some phantom DL time. You might be able to play here and there and we'll go from there,''' Hammock said. ''I said, 'Sure, that sounds great.'''

Hammock signed a free-agent deal with Baltimore in January 2009, then with Colorado a year later. The Rockies traded him to the Yankees in April 2010. Hammock wanted to be with Arizona again, and the D-backs signed him this past February.

Reno manager Brett Butler told Hammock on Wednesday night that he was headed out to join the D-backs. Hammock flew to the Bay Area during Thursday's off day, while his wife, Melissa, traveled from Phoenix to meet him and help celebrate this important and special moment.

One that very well could be his last hurrah at baseball's highest level.

''It's been tumultuous,'' Hammock said. ''I went to another organization and things didn't work out. I had a horrible season in 2009 in Triple-A and last year was kind of a wash. I wanted to come back and get in the D-backs organization again where I knew everybody and things were familiar. I was ready to transition into that other aspect, and, shoot, good things happened.''

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball