Former Mankato Star Promoted

(Mankato, MN)—Jack Hannahan, who starred in both Mankato and the Northwoods League in 1999, was promoted to the major leagues by the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, May 23. Hannahan joins another former Mankato player from 2001, Curtis Granderson, on the Tigers 25-man roster.

In response to Dmitri Young being placed on the disabled list, the Tigers tabbed Hannahan to take Young’s place on the roster to provide the team with another dangerous left-handed bat. Hannahan had been with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, where he was hitting .282 with four home runs and 23 RBI in 38 games.

With Mankato during the 1999 season, Hannahan displayed his potential by finishing third on the club with a .320 batting average, and second on the team with a .427 on-base percentage. He drove in 13 runs in 33 games that summer, and his 10 doubles ranked him third on the team.

The St. Paul, Minn. native becomes the third graduate of Cretin Derham-Hall High School to reach the major leagues, joining Hall of Famer Paul Molitor and current Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer. Hannahan also excelled during his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota, where he was named Big Ten Player of the Year following his junior season in 2001. Weeks later, the Tigers selected him in the third round of the amateur draft.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland cited Hannahan’s ability to play first base and second base, in addition to his primary position of third base, as a contributing factor to the call-up.

"I do know this kid is supposed to be a real good third baseman,” Leyland told the Tigers’ web site. "If I want to give (Brandon) Inge a day off, I’ve got a left-handed bat and a very good third baseman. I’m anxious to see him.”

Other MoonDogs News:

-General manager Kyle Mrozek announced tw0 members of the 2006 team will be unable to play for them this season; returning pitcher Joey Haug and third-baseman Jake Blackwood, both of Maple Woods Community College in Missouri. Haug will spend the summer rehabbing an injury suffered in the final weeks of the Centaurs season, while Blackwood who will be signing a letter of intent to attend a 4-year university, must complete academic requirements for enrollment.

The MoonDogs open their season on June 1 and then return to "The Frank” for their Home Opener on Friday, June 2. Season tickets, group tickets and hospitality tickets are on sale now, with single game tickets going on sale early in May. To get your tickets, call the MoonDogs ticket office at 507-625-7047 or for more information please go to www.mankatomoondogs.com.

Mankato MoonDogs—Baseball Unleashed!