Preston Hanna – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Preston Hanna’s name probably won’t spark much recognition among casual baseball fans these days. Still, his journey from a small-town Florida high school to the big leagues is a pretty fascinating slice of 1970s and 1980s baseball history.

This right-handed pitcher from Pensacola carved out an eight-season career in the majors, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, before he hung up his cleats in 1982.

Hanna finished with a 17-25 record, a 4.61 ERA, and 253 strikeouts over 156 major league games, suiting up for both the Atlanta Braves and Oakland Athletics from 1975 to 1982. The Braves picked him 11th overall in the 1972 MLB Draft, making him the first Escambia High School alum to reach the majors after being drafted.

His story stretches from his dominant high school days—he went a wild 13-0 with a 0.31 ERA as a senior—to his time contributing to two major league teams. On and off the field, including his passing in November 2023 at age 69, Hanna’s life gives a real look at the players who made up the backbone of baseball during a big turning point in the sport.

Early Life and Background

Preston Lee Hanna was born on September 10, 1954, in Pensacola, Florida. He grew up in this Gulf Coast city and went to Escambia High School, where he stood out in both baseball and football before zeroing in on pitching.

Birth and Family Origins

Preston Lee Hanna arrived on September 10, 1954, in Pensacola, Florida. That coastal city ended up laying the groundwork for his baseball career.

He grew up in the mid-1950s, a time when baseball was really taking off in the South. Florida was quickly becoming a hot spot for young talent.

His family always supported his love of sports. They noticed Preston’s talent early and encouraged him to get involved in athletics from the start.

Growing Up in Pensacola

Pensacola gave young athletes a great place to develop in the 1960s and early 1970s. The warm weather meant kids could play outside all year.

Hanna sharpened his skills in local leagues and at school. Like a lot of kids in smaller Southern towns, he played several sports.

The Gulf Coast had a strong baseball tradition. Plenty of players from the area moved up to higher levels, so the competition pushed Hanna to keep getting better.

His pitching ability stood out early. Coaches and teammates could see he had something special.

Education at Escambia High School

Hanna went to Escambia High School in Pensacola and quickly became a standout. The school gave him a chance to compete at a high level in several sports.

During his senior year, he put up eye-popping numbers for the baseball team. He went 13-0 with a 0.31 ERA, which definitely caught the eyes of pro scouts.

That performance earned him All-State honors in Florida, putting him among the state’s best high school players.

He also played football—well enough that big college programs noticed. Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant even recruited him as a defensive back.

Even with football calling, Hanna’s pitching talent made baseball his main focus. His run at Escambia High set him up as the first student from the school to get drafted and reach Major League Baseball.

Amateur Baseball Beginnings

Preston Hanna’s road to pro baseball started in Pensacola, Florida, where he became one of the top high school pitchers in the state. His standout play at Escambia High brought major league scouts to his games, and the Braves made him the 11th overall pick in the 1972 MLB Draft.

High School Achievements

At Escambia High School, Preston Hanna established himself as a top-tier pitcher. In his senior year, he finished with a 13-0 record and a 0.31 ERA, which earned him All-State honors.

His pitching helped Escambia High make a strong run at the state championship. Hanna showed he could handle the pressure in big games.

He wasn’t just a baseball guy—he drew interest from college football recruiters too. Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant wanted him for football, which says a lot about his athleticism. Still, baseball won out in the end.

Scouting and MLB Draft Experience

Major league scouts took notice of Hanna’s dominance in high school. His fastball, control, and competitive edge made him a hot prospect.

The Atlanta Braves picked Hanna in the first round of the 1972 draft, grabbing him with the 11th overall pick. That showed how much they believed he could become a big-league pitcher.

When Hanna debuted in the majors on September 13, 1975, he made history. He became the first Escambia High School alum drafted in baseball to reach the majors. That was a big deal for both him and his high school program.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Preston Hanna spent eight seasons pitching in the majors from 1975 to 1982. He played mostly for the Atlanta Braves and wrapped up his career with the Oakland Athletics.

He pitched in 156 games, finishing with a 4.61 ERA and a 17-25 win-loss record over 437.1 innings.

Atlanta Braves Tenure

Hanna made his MLB debut on September 13, 1975, with the Atlanta Braves at just 21. He became the first Escambia High alum to reach the majors after being drafted.

The Braves had picked him 11th overall in the 1972 draft. He spent seven years working his way through their system before getting the call.

His busiest season came in 1978 when he started 28 games and went 7-13 with a 5.13 ERA. That year, he logged 140.1 innings—the most in his career.

In 1980, he put up his best numbers, posting a 3.18 ERA over 79.1 innings. He pitched in 32 games that year, mostly out of the bullpen.

Transition to Oakland Athletics

The Atlanta Braves let Hanna go in July 1982 after eight seasons. The Oakland Athletics picked him up to finish out his last MLB season.

Hanna struggled in Oakland, putting up a 5.59 ERA in 23 games. He went 0-4 while pitching 48.1 innings for the A’s.

He made his final MLB appearance on October 3, 1982, against the Kansas City Royals. In that last outing, he pitched 0.2 innings, walked two, and didn’t allow any runs.

That marked the end of his big-league career at just 28. Oakland mostly used him as a reliever, though he did start a couple of games.

Memorable Games and Highlights

Hanna’s debut on September 13, 1975, against the Los Angeles Dodgers gave a glimpse of his potential. He tossed 2 innings, struck out one, and didn’t give up any runs.

His 1979 season saw him post his lowest ERA, at 2.96 over six games. He showed better control and effectiveness in limited action that year.

Preston Hanna threw two shutouts in his career, both with Atlanta. When he was on, he could finish games strong for the Braves.

The right-hander racked up 253 strikeouts during his eight years in the majors. His best strikeout year was 1978, when he fanned 90 batters in 29 appearances.

Hanna sometimes had trouble with consistency, but he stayed a reliable option for the Braves. His ability to start or relieve gave the team some valuable flexibility.

Pitching Style and On-Field Contributions

Preston Hanna started as a promising young starter and later became a steady relief pitcher during his eight years in the majors. His willingness to adapt kept him in the game, especially after arm injuries forced him to change roles.

Pitch Arsenal and Mechanics

Hanna used a pretty classic right-handed delivery. At 6’1″ and 195 pounds, he had a solid build for generating decent velocity and movement.

As a starter, he leaned on his four-seam fastball. He mixed in a curveball and changeup to keep hitters guessing. His control was usually good, though not perfect.

His mechanics were reliable and repeatable. He stayed balanced in his delivery, which helped him stick in both starting and relief roles.

Hanna focused more on location than pure speed. He worked the strike zone and didn’t walk too many batters. Being able to throw strikes in any count made him valuable.

Roles: Starter vs Reliever

Hanna kicked off his career as a starter for the Braves in 1975. He looked promising, especially in 1978 when he started 6-1 through June.

But things changed that same year. After his hot start, Hanna dropped 12 of his last 13 decisions and lost his final 8 starts. That pretty much ended his run as a regular starter.

He switched to relief for the rest of his career and found more success in shorter outings. Pitching out of the bullpen let him focus his energy and avoid the fatigue that seemed to catch up with him as a starter.

Most of his relief work came in middle relief. In his final season in 1982, Hanna pitched in 43 games between Atlanta and Oakland. That kind of workload showed he could handle the demands of the bullpen.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Preston Hanna wrapped up his pro baseball career in 1982 after eight seasons in the majors. His last year brought a lot of changes—he moved from the Braves to the Athletics before stepping away from the game.

Final Playing Year: 1982

The 1982 season was Hanna’s last in pro baseball. After most of his career with the Braves, they released him in July.

Oakland signed him after Atlanta let him go. He pitched 23 more games in the majors with the A’s during the second half of the season.

He made his last appearance on October 3, 1982, against the Kansas City Royals. He was 28, pitched two-thirds of an inning, gave up no hits, walked two, and didn’t allow a run.

Oakland gave him a short shot in their minor league system in 1983. That didn’t last long, and he had a brief stint in the Phillies’ minors before retiring from playing for good.

Career Reflections and Legacy

Hanna finished his eight-year career with a 17-25 record over 156 games with the Braves and Athletics. He started out as a first-round pick, 11th overall by Atlanta in 1972.

Arm injuries definitely changed his career path and limited what he might’ve accomplished. Even so, he became the first Escambia High School alum to play in the majors.

His baseball legacy kept going through his son, Warren Hanna, who played in the Chicago Cubs system in 2001 and 2002. That kept the Hanna name in pro baseball after Preston retired.

Preston Hanna died on November 20, 2023, in Gulf Breeze, Florida, at age 69.

Personal Life and Legacy

Preston Lee Hanna dealt with some tough health problems after he left baseball. He stayed close to his hometown community in Pensacola, Florida. His impact reached the next generation too, especially through his son Warren, who decided to chase a career as a professional baseball player.

Family and Community Involvement

After his playing days ended in 1982, Preston Hanna moved back to Pensacola and married his wife, Rita.

They had three kids: Caroline, Warren, and Preston Jr.

Hanna struggled with some pretty serious health issues after baseball. Seizures and blackouts started to affect him, and doctors eventually diagnosed him with epilepsy.

Because of this, he had to retire early on disability, and his activities became pretty limited.

Still, Hanna managed to stay involved in youth baseball when he could. He coached his kids’ teams, though he always had to be careful.

“I can’t coach full-time, and I have to stay out of the heat,” he explained in a 1990 interview. “I have to watch myself.”

In 1986, Hanna made a short comeback to competitive baseball. He pitched for the Florida All-Stars in the Gulf Coast Amateur Baseball League.

He threw a no-hitter against Mississippi, which ended up being his last game as a pitcher.

Impact on Future Generations

Preston Hanna built a legacy that really shines through his son Warren. Warren became an accomplished baseball player himself. He picked up awards as a catcher at Escambia High School, which happens to be the same school where Preston once starred.

After high school, Warren took things further. The Chicago Cubs organization signed him, and he played two seasons in their minor league system in the 2000s.

For Preston, watching Warren play baseball brought back memories of his own days on the field. “What it does, is it rejuvenates the feeling I used to get when I played,” he said. There’s something special about seeing your kid follow in your footsteps, isn’t there?

The Hanna family’s baseball story stands out as a rare father-son connection in professional baseball, stretching across generations. Preston Lee Hanna passed away on November 20, 2023, at age 69. He’s survived by Rita and their three children.