Congratulations to Eric Hinske, who won his second World Series ring. Well, to say he “won” it might be a stretch. More appropriately, he was a part of a second World Series-winning team. This was also Hinske’s third appearance in the Fall Classic in the last three years, all with different American League East teams. The good fortune of teams with Hinske on their roster seems to know no bounds. He won the 2002 American League Rookie of the Year Award with the Toronto Blue Jays before suffering a broken bone in his hand. After several years of spot-filling, Hinske was traded to the Boston Red Sox late in 2006, where “Good Luck” Hinske became a new phenomenon.

Hinske’s story will go under the radar for the most part. He’s been a bench player for the better part of his career, filling in for injured players or batting in low-leverage situations without much impact on the outcome of games. This includes his years in Toronto and his short-stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first half of 2009. The story of his career can be summed up in his World Series appearances. His teams have played 15 World Series games. He’s participated in just four. He had one at-bat in 2007, two in 2008, and one more in 2009.

All four of Hinske’s plate appearances have come in pinch-hit situations. In 2007 with the Red Sox, Hinske’s one and only plate appearance was put in for David Ortiz. Hinske struck out in a game that the Sox won 13-1. In 2008 with the Rays, Hinske hit a home run in the fifth inning of a 10-2 game four loss. He was then put in again in game five, where he struck out to end the World Series. In 2009 with the Yankees, Hinske drew a walk off of Cliff Lee, later coming around to score. To recap, Hinske’s World Series career consists of two strikeouts, a walk, a home run, and two runs scored. This is not your typical line.

Hinske is available as a free agent this year. Historically, there is only one place for him to sign a new contract, and that’s with the Baltimore Orioles, thereby completing the American League circuit. Futurically, this will guarantee Baltimore’s entry into the World Series next year, just by having Eric “Good Luck” Hinske on the roster. It can’t just be coincidence that whomever he plays for goes to the Show. However, the O’s will have to make sure that Hinske has exactly one plate appearance in the Series. Any more or less and Baltimore will suffer the same fate as the Rays.