John Hudek

John Raymond Hudek

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 200 lb.
• School Florida Southern College
• High School Plant High School
• Debut April 23, 1994
• Final Game September 30, 1999
• Born August 8, 1966 in Tampa, FL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher John Hudek was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 10th Round of the 1988 amateur draft. He was claimed on waivers by the Detroit Tigers in 1993 after speding 5+ seasons in the White Sox organization. He pitched 16 games for the AAA Toledo Mud Hens before being claimed on waivers by the Houston Astros and pitching 13 more games for the Astros' AAA Tucson Toros.

He made his Major League debut on April 30, 1994 with the Astros. After replacing Mitch Williams as the Astros' closer, he was selected to the 1994 All-Star Game and finished second to Raul Mondesi in in voting for the 1994 National League Rookie of the Year Award, in spite of pitching fewer than 40 innings. He saved 16 games that season, over half of his career total. He was not able to sustain this level of performance in future years, however and was out of the major leagues for good after playing for four different teams in 1998 and 1999.

His daughter Sarah Hudek, who is also a pitcher, has played for the US Women's National Team and was an All-Star in the 2014 Women's Baseball World Cup, being one of the few female players to receive a baseball scholarship by Bossier Parish Community College to play on its men's team.

Notable Achievements

• NL All-Star (1994)