J.J. Hardy

Team Number:	7
Birth Date:	08/19/1982
Height:	6'2"
Weight:	190lbs.
Position:	Infielder

More Info
Graduating High School as an All-American in 2001, J.J. Hardy is returning to play starting shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was drafted by the Brewers right out of high school in the second round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft. In 2003, J.J. Hardy played for the U.S.A. Olympic Qualifying team. Then just two years later, Hardy made his Major League debut with the Milwaukee Brewers.

After having season-ending surgery last year on his right ankle, Hardy is batting second as the 2007 season opens. Prior to his injury, the 2006 season proved difficult at the plate for Hardy. In 40 at-bats, he had six hits, a .140 batting average, with comparisons to Brewers legend Robin Yount, Hardy will have to work to improve these figures. Through the 2006 season, J.J. Hardy has 14 home runs, 123 hits and an overall batting average of .246.

On an interesting personal note, J.J.’s parents were both professional athletes.

In 2007, J.J. Hardy averaged .277 in batting. He managed to hit it out of the park 26 times, and drove in 80 RBI’s. J.J.’s impressive numbers landed him a spot at the 2007 MLB All Star team as a reserve. He was tapped to play the ninth inning of the 2007 All Star game. As for hitting streaks, he produced a hit for 19 consecutive games.

Just before the start of the 2008 Brewers season, J.J. Hardy contracted a bacterial infection, losing ten pounds in the process. He managed to make the opening series vs. the Cubs despite the illness.

During the 2009 season, Hardy had a bad year at bat, hitting only 11 homers in 414 at-bats. After such a poor-performance through half the season, he was optioned to the AAA Nashville Sounds on August 12 and was then recalled on September 1. Though he was once considered one of the toughest hitting players on the team, his lack of success might mean a trade in the near future.

JJ Hardy played one more season with the Milwauke Brewers. He was traded for a Twins outfielder in November of 2009.