CHICAGO (AP) - Courtney Hawkins' back-flipping days appear to be over. His professional baseball career is just beginning.
The Chicago White Sox agreed to terms on Monday with the 18-year-old outfielder, 13th overall pick in this year's draft.
"It's a lifelong dream," Hawkins said in a news conference at U.S. Cellular Field. "I always wanted to play professional baseball and I got the opportunity and everything was right. I'm glad to sign."
Hawkins drew a lot of attention at the televised draft on June 4 when he did a backflip during an interview after he was selected.
"I was surprised about how much publicity it got, and the reaction some people got," Hawkins said, laughing as he looked at general manager Ken Williams. "The chants started coming through, and I just had to do it."
Williams said there wasn't a "no backflips" clause in Hawkins' contract, but it's unlikely that he'll be doing them in a White Sox uniform.
"There has been a discussion. A couple of discussions," Williams joked. "I followed it up with his mom and dad."
Hawkins participated in a popular parody video of Carly Rae Jepsen's hit "Call Me Maybe" with several other top picks.
Hawkins, from Corpus Christi, Texas, hit .437 with 11 home runs, 39 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and 56 runs in 36 games for Carroll H.S. He was the ESPNHS Gatorade Texas Baseball Player of the Year, and was rated second by Baseball America among high school power hitters.
Hawkins put on a No. 12 jersey after signing the contract, then participated in on-field drills and batting practice with the White Sox.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound right-handed hitter will report to Bristol in the advanced Rookie League.
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Sunday, June 16 2013 5:58 PM EDT2013-06-16 21:58:04 GMT
Jason Castro homered for the second straight game and Matt Dominguez hit a three-run double to help the Houston Astros to their fourth straight win, 5-4, over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
Jason Castro homered for the second straight game and Matt Dominguez hit a three-run double to help the Houston Astros to their fourth straight win, 5-4, over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
Saturday, June 15 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:19:34 GMT
Jason Castro and Chris Carter homered in the fourth inning to give Houston the lead and the Astros held on for a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.
Jason Castro and Chris Carter homered in the fourth inning to give Houston the lead and the Astros held on for a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.
Saturday, June 15 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:16:09 GMT
Erik Bedard pitched six solid innings, and Jose Altuve hit a go-ahead RBI single to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
Erik Bedard pitched six solid innings, and Jose Altuve hit a go-ahead RBI single to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-06-12 03:58:06 GMT
Jose Bautista hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning and Rajai Davis scored on a wild pitch in the 10th to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox
Jose Bautista hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning and Rajai Davis scored on a wild pitch in the 10th to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox
Tuesday, June 11 2013 10:01 AM EDT2013-06-11 14:01:46 GMT
Adam Dunn went 4 for 4 with two homers and five RBIs to overcome two home runs by Toronto's Jose Bautista and give the Chicago White Sox a 10-6 victory in a game delayed 1 hour, 10 minutes by fog Monday.
Adam Dunn went 4 for 4 with two homers and five RBIs to overcome two home runs by Toronto's Jose Bautista and give the Chicago White Sox a 10-6 victory in a game delayed 1 hour, 10 minutes by fog Monday.
