Glenn Hubbard

Glenn Dee Hubbard (born September 25, 1957) is an American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a second baseman for the Atlanta Braves and Oakland Athletics from 1978 to 1989. He was an MLB All-Star in 1983. Hubbard coached for the Braves from 1999 to 2010.

Playing career Hubbard attended Wheatland High School, just outside Beale AFB, California, where his father was stationed. He finished high school at Ben Lomond High School when his father moved to Hill Air Force Base near Ogden, Utah. Out of high school, he was a 20th round selection in the 1975 MLB draft. The Atlanta Braves promoted him to the major leagues in 1978. Hubbard hit his first major league home run on September 23.

In 1983, Hubbard had his best season; he hit .263 with 14 home runs and 70 runs batted in (RBIs), as he earned his only All-Star Game appearance. During his 7th inning at-bat, announcers Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola made numerous light-hearted comments—even calling him Old Mother Hubbard—about his full beard, as beards were not in fashion at the time. Hubbard got a single when he hit a hard grounder to another first-time All-Star, Cal Ripken, which took a hop that Ripken couldn't handle.

Hubbard was known for his defense, and he holds the record for highest range factor per nine innings for a second baseman in MLB history. He also had the most double plays in the National League for two seasons, and from 1981 to 1987, he consistently finished in the top two for assists in the league. In 1982, he led the league and second basemen overall in both double plays and sacrifice hits.

Hubbard's willingness to stand in while turning a double play with a runner coming at him and his steady glove made him very valuable for the Braves. He holds Braves' team fielding records for second basemen in all categories.

Hubbard's most notable trading card is his 1984 Fleer card, in which he has an eight-foot boa constrictor draped around his neck. The snake was part of a pre-game birthday ceremony for the Philadelphia Phillies' mascot, the Phillie Phanatic. He signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics and played with them in 1988 and 1989.

Coaching career In 1999, Hubbard was hired as the Braves' first base coach, under manager Bobby Cox.

The Kansas City Royals organization hired Hubbard in 2011, and in 2014, he was hired as first base coach for the Lexington Legends, who operate as the Royals' class A team.