World Series for former Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – With the conclusion of the 2009 World Series Wednesday night, the season draws to a close for two former University of Arkansas baseball players, Eric Hinske (1996-98) and Cliff Lee (2000). Hinske captured the second World Series title of his career as the New York Yankees won the series, 4-2, while Lee was a standout on the mound for the runner-up Philadelphia Phillies.The two former Razorbacks faced one another in the fifth inning of Game 5 with Hinske, in a pinch-hit situation, drawing a walk from Lee, and eventually coming around to score. The series win by the Yankees’ gives Hinske his second World Series ring in three seasons, as he was a member of the 2007 Boston Red Sox team that swept the Colorado Rockies. Hinske has now appeared in three consecutive World Series, with the Red Sox in 2007, Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 and the Yankees this season.Hinske began the 2009 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but was traded to the Yankees in a June deal. Between the two teams, he appeared in 93 games this season and posted eight home runs, 12 doubles with 25 RBI. In his debut season, Hinske was awarded the 2002 American League Rookie of the Year with the Toronto Blue Jays. Lee was on the mound for both Phillies’ victories during the 2009 Fall Classic and finished the series with a 2-0 record, 2.81 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 16 innings of work. Lee opened the World Series with a complete-game, 10-strikeout performance in Game 1, and followed with a seven-inning effort, striking out three batters, in Game 5. The 2008 American League Cy Young winner finished this postseason with a 4-0 mark to go along with a 1.56 ERA, two complete games and 33 strikeouts in 40.1 innings pitched.Prior to joining the Phillies in a July trade, Lee spent the previous seven full seasons with the Cleveland Indians. After joining the Philadelphia pitching staff, Lee was 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA and struck out 74 hitters in 79.2 innings pitched. He was 14-13 overall in 2009.