PORTLAND, Ore. --- Former University of Portland baseball standout Travis Hanson has joined the program as a volunteer assistant coach, announced head coach Chris Sperry. Hanson comes to the UP staff after a successful stint playing in the Saint Louis Cardinals organization.
Hanson retired from professional baseball in 2007 after spending six years in the minor leagues.
“This school has given me a lot, so be able to give something back to the current team is exciting,” Hanson said. “With my professional playing experience and previous experience at Portland, I feel like I have a good sense of what I can contribute to the program. I want to show the team all of the little things that I’ve picked up along the way.”
“Travis grew up in the program after coming here to play from South Kitsap High School,” said Sperry. “He worked very hard to develop his game and earn his degree from UP. Ultimately, he climbed the ladder in the Cardinals organization, but injuries played a big role in his decision to turn his focus toward coaching. His playing career lends him instant respect and he will have much to teach about how to play the game right and staying dedicated to yourself and the team.”
Hanson spent most of 2006 and 2007 with the AAA Memphis Redbirds. His best year as a pro came with the AA Springfield Cardinals in 2005 when he was named the Cardinals’ Minor League Player of the Year. With Springfield, Hanson established career highs for homers (20) and RBI’s (97). His 97 RBI’s were tops among St. Louis Minor Leaguers and ranked second in the Texas League. Hanson led the league in total bases (250) and was fourth in hits (155), while ranking first among Texas League third basemen in putouts (95) and assists (264). That same season, Hanson was selected as third baseman on the Texas League’s postseason All-Star team and was rated the organization’s seventh-best prospect by Baseball America. He also drew Topps/Double-A postseason honors.
Hanson was an all-star selection in 2004 and 2003 and was selected to the Baseball America Low Class A All-Star team after a successful stint with the single A Peoria Chiefs. During his first season as a pro in 2002, he was a NY-Penn League All-Star selection.
Following a three-year stint (2000-2002) as a shortstop at UP, Hanson was drafted in the ninth round by the Cardinals in the 2002 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
Hanson was a career .313 hitter at Portland, finishing with 14 home runs, 101 RBI’s and 92 runs. He earned All-West Coast Conference honorable mention honors as a junior in 2002. That season, Hanson hit .315 at the plate, while belting eight home runs and driving in 46 RBI’s. His 23 doubles in 2002 are the second most during a single season in UP baseball history, while his 118 total bases rank ninth and his 68 hits are tied for tenth. Hanson’s 43 career doubles are third most on Portland’s career charts.
At South Kitsap High School (Wash.), Hanson hit .471 with seven homers and 54 RBI’s. He helped the Wolves reach a No. 10 national ranking by USA Today in 1998.
A native of Port Orchard, Wash., Hanson is married to UP assistant soccer coach Lauren Hanson.
