
He will forever go down in Guam sports history as the first baseball player to ever play in the big leagues.
13 games: 8-for-24 (.333), 5 BB, 8 K, 3 RBI for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2006.
Eight years after his historic major league appearance, JR Hattig is still Guam’s lone professional pioneer when it comes to the major sports.
Now 34-years-old, he’s settled back home but still playing the game he so loves. GSPN catches up with JR to see what’s he up to these days.
GSPN: The average Guam sports fan is probably wondering what is JR Hattig up to these days. What have you been up to?
– Just working. I recently got into the Government of Guam at Homeland Security. On my free time I umpire for the Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth League. I’m also playing with the AMI Orioles BBL and Crusaders in the Budweiser Amateur League. I’ve also surprisingly found a new love for running and eating right. I started at Homeland Security weighing 250 lbs and through the Governor’s Fitness Program I’ve taken advantage of it and started working out. I’m now down to 218 lbs.
GSPN: You were with the Smokies last year and played all kinds of positions. What made you switch to a brand new, yet very talented team in the Orioles?
– I enjoyed playing with the Smokies, very young talented team. I’m friends with a lot of players on the Orioles so that was a big reason why I switched. I also believe in the coaching staff.
GSPN: The O’s are still undefeated. Not bad for a new team. What is the biggest contributing factor to the team’s success?
– Me of course! (laughing) I’m kidding. We owe our success to our coaching staff. Also, we jive as a team. We are friends off the field and it shows when we play together.
GSPN: What would the Toronto Blue Jays think about you playing for a team named Orioles (AL East rivals)?
GSPN: Looking back on those 13 games you played in the big leagues in 2006, what do you remember most about that experience?
– I would say it was the perks. When I was in the minors it wasn’t as glamorous as people may think. The long bus rides, crappy hotels…then when I got to the majors it was a whole different life. It wasn’t so much the money…it was being able to see the fruits of my labor. All the hard work and sacrifice paid off and it was a beautiful experience (despite it not being very long).
GSPN: What would you have done differently in order to sustain your presence in the majors?
– You know, a lot of people knock my success because I didn’t stay in MLB very long. I try not to make it bother me, but at times it’s almost sad because people are so quick to judge but forget that I’m the only person from Guam to ever make it that far. Many people have their own theories of why I didn’t make it long…be it a girl, being homesick, me not putting in the work but that’s really not the case. There are millions of ball players that would love of at least one day and I was fortunate to get a few months. Back to the question, I don’t really know what I would have done differently. I had a very good run during my time in MLB, I guess I just wasn’t what they were looking for (position wise).
GSPN: What advise would you give aspiring ball players like Trae Santos or Pete Perez who are currently in the minors?
– Just enjoy it! Work hard everyday and don’t take anything for granted because it can all go away in a blink of an eye. AND that Guam is behind you 110%.
GSPN: Do you still keep in contact with some of your former teammates? If so, who?
– I’ve jumped on the bandwagon and joined social media. At first I was hesitant but it reunited me with a lot of my former teammates like Adam Lind, Chad Mottola, Brandon League, AJ Burnett, Mike Snyder. And I always check up on the friends I’ve made in MLB by visiting MLB.com to see how they are doing with their career.
GSPN: Let’s get back to Guam baseball. What’s it like now in today’s BBL as compared to your dad and uncles’ GML?
It’s night and day. BBL use to be the highest level of baseball on Guam. Just come to a game and watch and you can see the difference. Baseball used to be the biggest sport to watch on Guam. Unfortunately, baseball is suffering on Guam. Now, there’s just too much politics – on all levels, from little league to the top. It’s sad but true. I feel like the league is so disorganized now. I look around and baseball isn’t what it used to be. Baseball was ONCE a ticket to get off this island. Now I look around and you see kids going to different sports like soccer and rugby because there’s a lot more opportunity and support. I give a lot of credit to the soccer and rugby organization.
GSPN: Is there anything the baseball community can do to liven it up again?
They need to revamp the board. Let’s follow what IS working on Guam. Let’s be a little more organized. Instead of having a thousand baseball leagues, lets have one league and work on building our kids up. Have everyone involved on the board. There’s a lot of talent on this island and it’s being wasted because the proper resources aren’t being tapped in to. Our facility (Paseo Stadium) is also suffering. It’s embarrassing having pro teams come to our island and have to use Leo Palace instead of using our locally-owned facility because it’s not up to par. See: Where is the Love for Baseball?
GSPN: Do the O’s have what it takes to stop the Braves five-year reign?
– We’ll find out at the end of the season.


Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
GPS Sports Calendar
May 2022
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
- SU
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 1
Events for May
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #4
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
3rd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
5th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
6th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
7th
GPD HOT PURSUIT 5K
MARIANAS OPEN
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for May
9th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #5
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER All-Star Meeting
IIAAG GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
Events for May
12th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-ISLAND MEETING
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
12th
Events for May
14th
14th JUDICA CRABAO 5K
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
Events for May
16th
ISA TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND MEET
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE All-Star Meeting
Events for May
17th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
18th
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Events for May
19th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
20th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL All-Star Meeting
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
21st
Pre-Memorial Day 13-Miler
GETTING GUAM HEALTHY 5K BUBBLE RUN/HEALTH FAIR
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD All-ISLAND MEET
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE FINALS
ALPHA WARRIOR ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
2022 Guam Track & Field National Championships
Events for May
23rd
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
23rd
Events for May
24th
Events for May
26th
Events for May
27th
Events for May
28th
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th

Baseball
NINETE, JR. WINS 2022 BASEBALL MVP

Basketball
WILDCATS WIN MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS HOOPS

Volleyball
TITANS DON’T DROP A SET ALL SEASON

Baseball
NINETE, JR. WINS 2022 BASEBALL MVP

Running/Track
PANTHERS SWEEP ALL-ISLAND TRACK & FIELD MEET
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG & ISA Championships
- YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE KICKOFF June 4
- GSPN Boys Volleyball All-Star Game
- Pacific Mini-Games in Saipan