The Definition of an Astro: Hunter Pence
by Richard G. Herles

This year we are going to take a look at former Legend, Hunter Pence, whose professional baseball career can best be described as meteoric. It is only fitting that he be a part of the Astro organization. According to Webster’s Dictionary, the prefix astro- is defined as star; heaven; outer space; astronomical. All of these attributes apply to Houston’s outfielder, Hunter Pence.

Star is an outstandingly talented performer, or a person who stands out among his fellows. In Hunter’s slightly more than three seasons in the minor leagues, he posted a .304 batting average. In only 80 games with Lexington, he batted .338 and hammered 25 home runs that tied him with Beau Hearod for the Legends Single Season Home Run Record. The next year, he led the Corpus Christi Hooks in home runs with 28, in RBI’s with 95 and in runs scored with 97. After playing 25 games of AAA ball with Round Rock last season, he got the call and in his rookie year with the Astros, Hunter batted .322 with 30 doubles, nine triples, 17 home runs, and 69 RBIs.

Heaven is a place or condition of utmost happiness. If you get the chance to talk to Hunter or see him play, his passion for the game and the way that he plays with everything he’s got shows just how thrilled he is to be playing in the Major League. "There are a lot of stars you can turn to on this team," said Pence, "There are big names everywhere. I'm a small part of the big picture."

Outer space is the space immediately outside the earth’s atmosphere. Even though Hunter’s accomplishments may be out of this world, this legend in the making has feet firmly anchored back here on earth. “My whole theory on that is I come prepared every day and that’s all I can do,” Pence said.
The Astros Manager Cecil Cooper said Pence was one of the hardest-working players on the team, “I think this young man is just a baseball player and he’ll do whatever it takes to get it done. He continues to make adjustments just as he made them all through the minor leagues. Nothing he does amazes me.”

Astronomical is defined as enormously or inconceivably large. This applies to the amount of awards that Pence has received. In 2003, he was named to the Summer League First-Team All-American and to the Southland Conference All-Star Team. In 2004, he was the Southland Conference Player of the Year, on the Southland Conference All-Star Team and the Southland Conference Hitter of the Year. In his first full seaon in professional baseball (2005), Hunter was selected to the Low A All-Star Team, the Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year, the South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Prospect, and a South Atlantic League All-Star. The awards continued through the 2006 season. Pence represented the Hooks in the Future Game in Pittsburgh and Texas League All-Star Game. He was named to the Baseball America Minor League All-Star Team and the Arizona Fall League All-Prospect Team. Last year, the "Rookie Phenom Hunter Pence" as Steve Berthiaume often referred to the Astros outfielder on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight was awarded the National League Player of the Week as well as the National League Rookie of the Month for May. Many say that if he hadn’t missed a month with a bone chip in his wrist that he’d beat Ryan Braun for National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Hunter Pence is the definition of a real Astro. This year at spring training, he put to rest any worries about a sophmore slump. Astros manager Cecil Cooper is singing his praises, "He's a special player. He's a throwback player. He's an old-school player. He plays hard all the time. He's a rare breed." Pence was initially slotted in the sixth spot in the batting order, but he has clearly impressed his manager with his league leading .397 batting average. “He’s just an exciting player, and you want him to bat as many times as you can,” Cooper said. “If he’s down sixth, it would probably keep him from hitting one extra time. You want your best guys right up top. Hunter’s just a guy that sees it and hits it.”