Scott Hatteberg was probably best known as Jason Varitek’s backup in the late 1990′s, but today he is known as the former Boston athlete being featured on “Memory Lane Monday.” Hatteberg played for the Sox from 1995-01, batting .267 and hitting 34 home runs over that time frame. His best season in Boston came in 1998, when he sported a .276 average, clocked 12 home runs, and drove in 43 runs.
During his time in Boston, Hatteberg was mostly used to catch Tim Wakefield’s ever elusive knuckleball (before a guy named Doug Mirabelli came along). One of his most memorable moments in a Red Sox uniform came during the end of his career with Boston. On August 6, 2001, in a game against the Texas Rangers, Hatteberg had the pleasure of grounding into a triple play and then hitting a grand slam in his next at bat. To this day, Hatteberg is the only MLB player to accomplish this feat.
After his contract with the Sox expired on December 20, 2001, Hatteberg was picked up by the Oakland Athletics. He played with the A’s for three years before joining the Cincinnati Reds in 2006. He retired with the Reds after the 2008 season. In his 14 year career, Hatteberg finished with a .273 average, 106 home runs, and 527 RBI’s.
Currently, Hatteberg is serving as a special advisor to Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane.
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