{{short description|American baseball player (born 1983)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Eric Hacker | image = Eric Hacker on August 19, 2012.jpg | image_size = 240 | caption = Hacker with the San Francisco Giants | team = | number = | position = Pitcher | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|3|26}} | birth_place = Duncanville, Texas, U.S. | bats = Switch | throws = Right | debutleague = MLB | debutdate = September 22 | debutyear = 2009 | debutteam = Pittsburgh Pirates | finalleague = MLB | finaldate = August 25 | finalyear = 2012 | finalteam = San Francisco Giants | debut2league = KBO | debut2date = April 4 | debut2year = 2013 | debut2team = NC Dinos | final2league = KBO | final2date = October 13 | final2year = 2018 | final2team = Nexen Heroes | statleague = MLB | statyear = | stat1label = Win–loss record | stat1value = 0–1 | stat2label = Earned run average | stat2value = 4.00 | stat3label = Strikeouts | stat3value = 11 | stat2league = KBO | stat2year = | stat21label = Win–loss record | stat21value = 61–37 | stat22label = Earned run average | stat22value = 3.66 | stat23label = Strikeouts | stat23value = 675 | teams = * Pittsburgh Pirates ({{baseball year|2009}}) * Minnesota Twins ({{baseball year|2011}}) * San Francisco Giants ({{baseball year|2012}}) * NC Dinos ({{baseball year|2013}}–{{baseball year|2017}}) * Nexen Heroes ({{baseball year|2018}}) |highlights= * KBO Wins leader (2015) }} '''Eric Lynn Hacker''' (born March 26, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Hacker stands {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m}} and weighs {{convert|230|lb|kg}}. He throws right-handed but is a switch hitter. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, and San Francisco Giants, and in the KBO League for the NC Dinos and Nexen Heroes. He throws a fastball, a slider, a curveball, and a changeup.

Hacker was drafted out of Duncanville High School by the New York Yankees in 2002. He pitched in their minor league system from 2002 to 2009 (missing 2004 and 2006 with injuries) before getting traded to the Pirates. He made his major league debut with Pittsburgh on September 22, 2009, and pitched in three games for them that season. He signed with the Giants in the offseason and spent the entire 2010 season in the minor leagues. In 2011, he signed with the Twins and appeared in two games with them. He signed with San Francisco in 2012 and made his first career start in the majors, recording a loss. He also pitched three games in relief for the Giants that year.

==High school and personal life== Hacker was born in Duncanville, Texas; growing up, he attended Duncanville High School.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stohs |first=Seth |url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/120200414.html |title=Get to know 'em: Eric Hacker |work=Star Tribune |date=April 19, 2011 |access-date=September 30, 2012 |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024144506/http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/120200414.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was named the starting quarterback on the school's football team his senior year, but he broke his foot in the second game of the season. Although some colleges were interested in him as a football player, he decided to concentrate on baseball as a result of the injury.<ref name="Hacker">{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Anthony |url=http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2008/09/blog_the_eric_hacker_file.html |title=Blog: The Eric Hacker File |work=nj.com |date=September 3, 2008 |access-date=October 13, 2012}}</ref> As a senior, he was a third-team Class 5A All-State pitcher.<ref name="MLB">{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=459345 |title=Eric Hacker Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio |work=MLB.com |access-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref> Currently, Hacker lives in Southlake, Texas, with his wife, Christine, whom he married in November 2008.<ref name="MLB"/> He is a Dallas Cowboys fan. Two of his hobbies are fishing and pool.<ref name="Hacker"/>

==Professional career==

===New York Yankees organization=== Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 23rd round, with the 696th overall selection, of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft, Hacker began his career with the GCL Yankees of the rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He appeared in three games with them in 2002. In 2003, Hacker appeared in seven games (five starts) with the team, posting a 3–2 record, a 2.86 earned run average (ERA), 26 strikeouts, and seven walks in {{frac|28|1|3}} innings pitched. He also pitched with the Staten Island Yankees of the Single-A short-season New York–Penn League, where he had no record and an ERA of 1.00 in two starts.<ref name="minors">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hacker001eri |title=Eric Hacker Minor League Statistics & History |work=Baseball-Reference.com (Minors) |access-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref> He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2004 and missed the entire season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Teale |first=Patrick |url=http://yankees.scout.com/a.z?s=303&p=2&c=824285&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fyankees.scout.com%2f2%2f824285.html |title=Scouting Yankees Prospect #28: Eric Hacker |work=Scout.com |date=December 23, 2008 |access-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref> During his time with the GCL Yankees, he was roommates with Brandon Weeden. The two still correspond.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Jeff |url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/ncf/story/_/page/heisman-dallas-week11/brandon-weeden |title=Having a ball |work=ESPN.com |date=November 23, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref>

In 2005, Hacker pitched for the Charleston RiverDogs of the Single-A South Atlantic League and was named to the league's All-Star game. On July 2, he threw eight shutout innings in a 1–0 victory over the Rome Braves.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3187384 |title=Gonzalez's Blast Ruins Rome as RiverDogs Win, 1–0 |work=Our Sports Central |date=July 2, 2005 |access-date=June 21, 2012}}</ref> However, Hacker was placed on the disabled list the next day and missed the rest of the season with right shoulder inflammation.<ref name="MLB"/> In 10 starts, Hacker had a 5–2 record, a 1.60 ERA, 40 strikeouts, 14 walks, and one complete game in 62 innings pitched.<ref name="minors"/> Hacker missed the entire 2006 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery.<ref name="MLB"/>

Hacker began 2007 with Charleston, where he had a 9–2 record, a 2.56 ERA, 54 strikeouts, 18 walks, and 95 innings pitched in 17 starts. He also appeared in nine games (seven starts) for the Tampa Yankees of the High-A Florida State League (FSL), posting a 3–3 record, a 6.10 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and 14 walks in {{frac|38|1|3}} innings.<ref name="minors"/> He finished the season by appearing in one game (which he won) with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees of the Triple-A International League (IL).<ref name="MLB"/>

Hacker began 2008 with Tampa. He was named the FSL Pitcher of the Week from April 8 to 14 after throwing 14 scoreless innings. After recording a 2–2 record, a 1.87 ERA, 31 strikeouts, nine walks, and 53 innings pitched in nine starts, he was promoted to the Trenton Thunder of the Double-A Eastern League on May 28.<ref name="MLB"/> In 17 starts with the Thunder, he had a 7–4 record, a 2.76 ERA, 84 strikeouts, and 28 walks in {{frac|95|1|3}} innings pitched. His minor league totals were a 9–6 record, a 2.43 ERA, 79 strikeouts, 33 walks, and {{frac|144|1|3}} innings pitched in 26 starts.<ref name="minors"/> In the playoffs, he had a 2–0 record and a 1.54 ERA in two starts as the Thunder won the Eastern League championship.<ref name="MLB"/>

In 2009, Hacker attended spring training with New York for the first time but was sent to the minors on March 8 after two games.<ref name="MLB"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/03/09/2009-03-09_mariano_rivera_tosses_off_concerns.html|title=Mariano Rivera tosses off concerns|work=New York Daily News|access-date=March 21, 2009 | first=Mark | last=Feinsand | date=March 9, 2009}}</ref> He began the season with Trenton, where he recorded a 1–1 record, a 4.11 ERA, eight strikeouts, seven walks, and {{frac|15|1|3}} innings pitched in three starts. After three starts, he was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he had an 0–1 record, a 7.88 ERA, 12 strikeouts, four walks, and 16 innings pitched in three starts.<ref name="MLB"/> On May 9, he was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Brett Tomko.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carig |first=Marc |url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2009/05/new_york_yankees_dfa_eric_hack.html |title=New York Yankees DFA Eric Hacker |work=Newark Star-Ledger |date=May 9, 2009 |access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref>

===Pittsburgh Pirates=== On May 16, 2009, Hacker was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Rómulo Sánchez. The Pirates assigned him to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians of the International League.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayo|first=Jonathan|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090516&content_id=4772230&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|title=Bucs make Minors trade with Yanks|date=May 16, 2009|work=MLB.com |access-date=May 17, 2009}}</ref> He was named the IL Pitcher of the Week for August 3–9 after winning both of his starts and striking out 14 hitters during the week.<ref name="scouting">{{cite web |last=Jennings |first=Andy |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-6352848 |title=Hacker Named IL Pitcher Of The Week |work=Minor League Baseball |date=August 10, 2009 |access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> He recorded a 5–5 record, a 4.02 ERA, 82 strikeouts, 46 walks, and {{frac|116|1|3}} innings pitched in 21 starts and was called up to the majors for the first time on September 8 following the IL season.<ref name="minors"/> Hacker said upon being called up:

{{blockquote|Obviously as a kid, this was your dream goal to get to the big leagues. It hasn't quite set in with me yet until I actually step onto the field, and it's game time. I'm just excited to be here, be a part of the team. Hopefully I can contribute.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090908&content_id=6856668&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit |title=Hacker has thirst for big league action |website=Pirates.MLB.com |date=September 8, 2009 |access-date=June 26, 2012}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>}}

Hacker made his major league debut on September 22, allowing two runs in an inning in a 10–4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090923&content_id=7116606&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926215747/http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090923&content_id=7116606&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 26, 2009 |title=Hacker's debut with Bucs fulfills dream |website=Pirates.MLB.com |date=September 23, 2009 |access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref> He pitched a scoreless inning in a 6–0 loss to the Chicago Cubs in his next game on September 29.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200909290.shtml |title=September 29, 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 1, 2012}}</ref> In his final game of the year on October 4, he pitched a scoreless inning in a 6–0 loss to Cincinnati.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN200910040.shtml |title=October 4, 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 1, 2012}}</ref> Hacker had no record, a 6.00 ERA, one strikeout, two walks, and three innings pitched in his three games with the Pirates. He was outrighted (sent to the minors and removed from the 40-man roster) on November 6, and he became a minor league free agent on November 9.<ref>{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091106&content_id=7633120&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109054751/http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091106&content_id=7633120&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2009 |title=Pirates outright three off 40-man roster |website=Pirates.MLB.com |date=November 6, 2009 |access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref><ref name="reference">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hackeer01.shtml |title=Eric Hacker Statistics and History |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref>

===San Francisco Giants (first stint)=== On December 18, 2009, Hacker signed with the San Francisco Giants.<ref name="reference"/> He pitched in four games for the Giants in spring training but was sent to the minors after posting a 14.29 ERA.<ref name="MLB"/> With the Fresno Grizzlies of the AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL), he won eight consecutive decisions from July 4 to August 20.<ref name="MLB"/> In 29 starts, Hacker posted a 16–8 record, a 4.51 ERA, 129 strikeouts, and 62 walks in {{frac|165|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="minors"/> He tied for the PCL lead in starts with Lance Lynn while finishing sixth in innings pitched, sixth in ERA, and fourth in strikeouts (behind Lynn (141), Brandon Dickson (137), and Michael Kirkman (130)).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/leader.cgi?type=pitch&id=b6ca3ab2 |title=2010 Pacific Coast League Pitching Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com (Minors) |access-date=June 30, 2012}}</ref> His 16 wins led the PCL, the highest total since 1995 when Donne Wall won 17.<ref name="MLB"/> On November 6, he became a free agent.<ref name="reference"/>

===Minnesota Twins=== On November 9, 2010, Hacker signed with the Minnesota Twins.<ref name="reference"/> He attended spring training but was sent to the minors after posting a 13.50 ERA in five games.<ref name="MLB"/> He was called up to Minnesota on April 19 to replace Alex Burnett (who was optioned) in the bullpen; Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said, "We need a long guy [in the bullpen]."<ref>{{cite web |last=Karpovich |first=Todd |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110418&content_id=17946338&notebook_id=17946822&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min |title=Morneau is latest Twins player to miss time |website=Minnesota Twins|publisher=MLB |date=April 19, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2012}}</ref> He made his Twins' debut that day, throwing two scoreless innings in an 11–0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.<ref>{{cite web |last=Seidel |first=Jeff |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_04_19_minmlb_balmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=min |title=Pavano struggles as Twins fall to O's |website=Minnesota Twins|publisher=MLB |date=April 19, 2011 |access-date=September 30, 2012}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In his next game on April 27, he gave up one unearned run in {{frac|3|1|3}} innings but allowed three inherited runners to score in an 8–2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bollinger |first=Rhett |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_04_27_tbamlb_minmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=min |title=Liriano chased early in snowy loss to Rays |website=Minnesota Twins|publisher=MLB |date=April 28, 2011 |access-date=September 30, 2012}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> After the game, Hacker was optioned back to Triple-A Rochester to make room on the roster for Anthony Swarzak.<ref name="MLB"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Bollinger |first=Rhett |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110427&content_id=18327520&notebook_id=18327532&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505121653/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110427&content_id=18327520&notebook_id=18327532&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 5, 2011 |title=Swarzak starts Game 2; Pavano to go Sunday |website=Minnesota Twins|publisher=MLB |date=April 28, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2012}}</ref> On July 17, he was outrighted off the 40-man roster to make room for Scott Diamond.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schelling |first=Jordan |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110717&content_id=21906626&notebook_id=21908932&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726185936/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110717&content_id=21906626&notebook_id=21908932&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |title=Twins put Baker on DL, promote Diamond |website=Minnesota Twins|publisher=MLB |date=July 17, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2012}}</ref> With the Rochester Red Wings of the International League, Hacker had a 7–14 record, a 6.10 ERA, 98 strikeouts, 50 walks, and {{frac|135|2|3}} innings pitched in 26 games (25 starts). He tied with Diamond for the league lead in losses, ranked sixth in the league in walks, led the league in runs allowed (103), and ranked third in the league in earned runs allowed (92, behind Thad Weber's 95 and Corey Kluber's 93).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/leader.cgi?type=pitch&id=32f7732e |title=2011 International League Pitching Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 4, 2012}}</ref> On October 4, he became a free agent.<ref name="reference"/>

===San Francisco Giants (second stint)=== In 2012, Hacker re-signed with the Giants. He was called up to make his first career start for the Giants on April 27 due to an earlier doubleheader. He allowed three runs and got the loss (his first career decision) but recorded seven strikeouts in six innings as the San Diego Padres defeated the Giants 5–3. After the game, he was returned to Fresno to make room for Steve Edlefsen on the roster.<ref name="Padres">{{cite web |last=Haft |first=Chris |url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_27_sdnmlb_sfnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=sf |title=Hacker solid, but Giants fall to Padres |website=San Francisco Giants|publisher=MLB |date=April 28, 2012 |access-date=July 7, 2012}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Hacker was selected to the PCL All-Star Game in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pentis |first=Andrew |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-34085030 |title=PCL announces All-Star Game picks |work=Minor League Baseball |date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref> On August 17, he was called up to be used as a long reliever soon after Brad Penny was placed on the disabled list.<ref>{{cite web |last=Haft |first=Chris |url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120817&content_id=36866050&notebook_id=36868390&vkey=notebook_sf&c_id=sf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820024718/http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120817&content_id=36866050&notebook_id=36868390&vkey=notebook_sf&c_id=sf |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 20, 2012 |title=Bochy noncommittal about Mota's return |website=San Francisco Giants|publisher=MLB |date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2012}}</ref> The next day, he gave up a run in {{frac|1|2|3}} innings (a home run by Carlos Quentin) in an 8–7 victory over San Diego.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN201208180.shtml |title=August 18, 2012 San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 2, 2012}}</ref> He gave up a run in one inning (a home run by Will Venable) in a 7–1 loss to San Diego on August 19.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN201208190.shtml |title=August 19, 2012 San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 2, 2012}}</ref> He allowed a run in one inning in a 7–3 loss to the Atlanta Braves in his next outing on August 25.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Jay |url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_08_25_atlmlb_sfnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=sf |title=Giants fall short of picking up Bumgarner |website=San Francisco Giants|publisher=MLB |date=August 25, 2012 |access-date=October 2, 2012}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> After the game, Hacker was optioned to Fresno to make room for Eli Whiteside when the Giants decided to have three catchers on their roster.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Jay |url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120826&content_id=37393768&notebook_id=37401086&vkey=notebook_sf&c_id=sf |title=Giants bring up Whiteside as protection for Posey |website=San Francisco Giants |publisher=MLB |date=August 26, 2012 |access-date=August 28, 2012 |archive-date=August 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828173830/http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120826&content_id=37393768&notebook_id=37401086&vkey=notebook_sf&c_id=sf |url-status=dead }}</ref> With the Giants, he had an 0–1 record, a 5.59 ERA, eight strikeouts, two walks, and {{frac|9|2|3}} innings pitched in four games (one start).

In 26 games (25 starts) with Fresno, Hacker had a 12–6 record, a 4.01 ERA, 103 strikeouts, and 43 walks in {{frac|150|1|3}} innings pitched. He tied with Tom Koehler, Ryan Verdugo, and Brad Peacock for fourth in the PCL in wins (behind John Ely's and Sean O'Sullivan's 14 and Barry Enright's 13) and finished fourth in ERA (behind Ely's 3.20, Yusmeiro Petit's 3.46, and Brad Hand's 4.00).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/leader.cgi?type=pitch&id=0dccdf2c |title=2012 Pacific Coast League Pitching Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com (Minors) |access-date=September 7, 2012}}</ref> He was designated for assignment on September 4 to make room for Emmanuel Burriss on the Giants' roster, and he became a free agent four days later.<ref name="reference"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Jay |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120904&content_id=37876606&notebook_id=37892280&vkey=notebook_sf&c_id=sf |title=Giants add Burriss, two pitchers to roster |website=San Francisco Giants|publisher=MLB |date=September 4, 2012 |access-date=September 5, 2012}}</ref>

===NC Dinos=== {{BLP sources section|date=December 2016}} On January 15, 2013, Hacker signed with the NC Dinos in their inaugural season in the KBO League.<ref>{{cite web |last=DiPietro |first=Lou |url=http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130115&content_id=40973702&oid=36019 |title=Hacker's Decision: 'I'm taking my talents to South Korea' |work=YES Network |date=January 15, 2013 |access-date=January 21, 2013}}</ref> Hacker was part of a starting rotation alongside fellow former MLB pitchers Charlie Shirek and Adam Wilk. On April 4, Hacker started against the Lotte Giants. He pitched 7 innings while allowing 3 earned runs, but no run support and poor defense caused him to take the loss. During the rest of April, Hacker had a lot of trouble in dealing with runners on base, because his pitching motion was vulnerable to stolen bases.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} So, by the end of April, Hacker was forced to make changes his pitching delivery. On March 10, he faced the Doosan Bears, and his delivery was changed. Twelve days later, he got his first win in KBO.

In late 2013, Hacker re-signed for the 2014 season with NC Dinos. He later re-signed twice with the Dinos. Hacker's best season in the KBO was 2015, when he led the league with 19 wins to go along with a 3.13 ERA and 164 strikeouts. For his efforts we was given the 2015 pitcher's Golden Glove Award. Hacker pitched for the Dinos in the 2016 Korean Series, starting and losing Game Two. On December 27, 2016, Hacker signed a one-year, $1 million contract to remain with the Dinos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/eric-hacker-re-signs-with-kbos-nc-dinos.html|title=Eric Hacker Re-Signs With KBO's NC Dinos|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 27, 2016|access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> He started and won the deciding fifth game of the 2017 Semi-playoffs against the Lotte Giants, as the Dinos won 9–0.

===Nexen Heroes=== On June 20, 2018, Hacker signed a $300,000 contract with the Nexen Heroes of the KBO League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/06/nexen-heroes-sign-erick-hacker-release-esmil-rogers.html|title=Nexen Heroes Sign Eric Hacker, Release Esmil Rogers|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 21, 2018|access-date=June 21, 2018}}</ref>

Hacker spent six seasons in the KBO League, going 61–37 (.622 winning percentage) with a 3.66 ERA and 675 strikeouts.

==Pitching style== Hacker throws four pitches: a fastball, a slider, a curveball, and a changeup. Early in his minor league career, he only threw the fastball and the slider; former Indians' pitching coach Ray Searage believes the other two pitches have helped him keep hitters "off balance."<ref name="scouting"/> After his first start (against the Padres in 2012), Padres' manager Bud Black said, "He has a deliberate motion out of the windup."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Hacker-has-strong-start-in-Giants-loss-to-Padres-3517319.php |title=Hacker has strong start in Giants' loss to Padres |work=San Francisco Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |date=April 27, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

== External links == {{Portal|Baseball}} {{baseballstats |mlb=459345 |espn=29959 |br=h/hackeer01 |fangraphs=8743 |brm=hacker001eri}} *[http://eng.koreabaseball.com/teams/playerinfopitcher/summary.aspx?pcode=63938 Career statistics and player information] from the KBO League

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hacker, Eric}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Baseball players from Dallas County, Texas Category:Sportspeople from Duncanville, Texas Category:Gulf Coast Yankees players Category:Staten Island Yankees players Category:Charleston RiverDogs players Category:Tampa Yankees players Category:Trenton Thunder players Category:Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees players Category:Indianapolis Indians players Category:Fresno Grizzlies players Category:Rochester Red Wings players Category:Pittsburgh Pirates players Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:San Francisco Giants players Category:NC Dinos players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:KBO League pitchers Category:American expatriate baseball players in South Korea Category:Duncanville High School alumni