TOLEDO, Ohio — Call him the real-life Crash Davis.
Mike Hessman, an infielder for Triple-A Toledo in the Detroit Tigers’ system, became the career home run leader for U.S.-based minor leagues Monday night, hitting his 433rd in the seventh inning of a game against Lehigh Valley.
Davis was the character played by Kevin Costner in the movie “Bull Durham” who set the minor league record for homers.
Hessman reached the actual mark in style, hitting a grand slam to break a tie on the career list with Buzz Arlett, who played in the minors from 1918 to 1937.