Kevin Hooper - #22
(Lawrence High School)
Wichita State
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Florida Marlins |
Omaha Royals |
Omaha Royals |
Omaha Royals |
Omaha Royals |
Detroit Tigers |
Detroit Tigers |
Detroit Tigers |
Wichita WingNuts |
Wichita WingNuts |
Wichita WingNuts |
The second Topeka Stars player to make it into the highest level of baseball (MLB). Kevin played on the same Stars team as Shane Wright and Ryan Kohlmeier.
Kevin Hooper enjoyed a 10-year playing career in professional baseball. When Hooper retired at the end of the 2008 season, the former Shocker had won three championships, spent parts of two seasons in the Major Leagues, and totaled 1,116 base hits.
Hooper was a four-year star at Wichita State University, and helped the Shockers reach the College World Series in 1996. When Hooper’s college career ended in 1999, he was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 8th round of the 1999 draft. Hooper shot quickly through the minor leagues, reaching the Triple-A level with the Calgary Cannons in just his third full season in 2002. Hooper played six seasons at the Triple-A level. Hooper finally reached the Major Leagues in 2005 when he was called up by the Detroit Tigers.
Hooper was named the second manager in Wingnuts’ history on November 5th, 2008. During his four years as manager, Hooper has guided the Wingnuts to four consecutive winning seasons and three division titles.
Inducted into the Wichita State Baseball Hall Of Fame – Accomplishments listed below.
Second baseman Kevin Hooper was named a first team All-American by College Baseball Insider in 1999. Named a second team All-American in 1998 by NCBWA and first team in 1999. Named a first team Freshman All-American in 1996 by Collegiate Baseball. Named all-Valley Scholar-Athlete in 1999. Named to all-regional team in 1996 and 1999. Named second team all-District in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Named second team all-Valley in 1997 and first team in 1998 and 1999. Won WSU Most Valuable Player Award in 1999. Season Records at WSU: 20th in batting average (.402), 10th in runs (101), 25th in doubles (22), 12th in triples (7). Career Records at WSU: 15th in batting average (.358), 20th in games (233), 18th in at bats (866), 11th in hits (310), fifth in runs (287), 12th in doubles (58), 10th in triples (17), 21st in total bases (429), 14th in stolen bases (78)...Drafted by the Florida Marlins in 1999, making his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2005.