Minors HR king Hessman retires to pursue coaching

NEW YORK -- Minor league home run king Mike Hessman says he is retiring as a player and will pursue a career as a coach.

Hessman confirmed his decision in a text to The Associated Press on Saturday.

Hessman became the career home run leader for U.S.-based minor leagues in August when he hit a grand slam to pass Buzz Arlett with his 433rd homer.

The 37-year-old Hessman is often compared to Crash Davis, Kevin Costner's character in the movie "Bull Durham," and perhaps fittingly, Hessman's slam was his last home run.

Hessman was a 15th-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 1996 and spent 19 seasons in the minors. He also played in 109 big league games spanning five seasons, last appearing in the…