Taken by the Tigers in the 1989 draft, Jody Hurst initially declined Detroit's offers and in favor of returning for his final year in college, he told The Associated Press that June.
But then he slept on it, he told The AP.
"When I went to bed I had planned to not sign and go ahead and play on the USA team," Hurst told The AP. "But, something happened. I don't even know what it was. When I woke up, I just decided I wanted to sign."
Hurst signed and soon found himself with the Tigers at short-season Niagara Falls. He went on to see a total of five pro seasons. He made AAA, but missed out on the majors.
Hurst's career began that year in 1989, taken by the Tigers in the 10th round out of Mississippi State. He played his high school ball at Mississippi's West Lauderdale.
Hurst started with the Tigers at Niagara Falls. He hit .283 in 55 games, including 10 home runs.
He moved to high-A Lakeland for 1990 and also saw AA London. He hit .257 over 44 games at London.
He returned to London for 1991, but saw a shortened 54 game season after an injury in spring training. Against the Dodgers, the outfielder hit the wall running down a fly ball and broke a bone in his hand, according to The Meridian Star.
"I'm disappointed," Hurst told The Star after the injury. "I really expected big things. (Detroit manager) Sparky (Anderson) was talking to me a lot."
Hurst returned to London for 1992, but started the season AAA Toledo. He got into 45 games at Toledo and hit .186 before getting sent down. He then started hitting again at London.
"He was getting a lot of breaking balls and off-speed pitches and not reacting very well," London coach Bruce Fields told The Detroit Free Press of Hurst's time at Toledo. "But he came down here and has hit the ball hard."
Hurst got back to Toledo for 1993. He saw 61 games on the year and hit .250 to end his career.
Hurst has since returned to Mississippi and his old high school. In 2021, he served as West Lauderdale's assistant baseball coach and athletic director.
- Hattiesburg American, June 11, 1989: Miss. State's Jody Hurst signs with Detroit
- Beloxi Sun-Herald, Meridian Star, April 13, 1991: Hurst hurts after hitting fence
- Detroit Free Press, June 24, 1992: Hurst sent down; average goes up
Made the Majors:1,261-33.9%
Never Made Majors:2,459-66.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:522
10+ Seasons in the Minors:309
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