Minors HR king Hessman, the real-life 'Crash Davis,' to retire

NEW YORK -- Minor-league home run king Mike Hessman says he is retiring as a player and will pursue a career as a coach.

Hessman confirmed his decision in a text to The Associated Press on Saturday.

Hessman became the career home run leader for U.S.-based minor leagues in August when he hit a grand slam to pass Buzz Arlett with his 433rd homer.

The 37-year-old Hessman is often compared to Crash Davis, Kevin Costner's character in the movie "Bull Durham," and perhaps fittingly, Hessman's slam was his last home run.

Hessman was a 15th-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 1996 and spent 19 seasons in the minors. He also played in 109 major-league games spanning five seasons, last appearing in the majors in 2010 with the New York Mets. He also spent a season in the Japan Pacific League.

Hessman played the final two years of his career with Triple-A Toledo in the Detroit Tigers system. He hit .237 with 16 home runs and 57 RBI this season.