Hinske brings his ‘living canvas’ tattoos to Braves
Here is Eric Hinske's Japanese warrior, breathing snake thingy.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Nobody has added more color to the Braves’ clubhouse than utility man Eric Hinske. How about a $5,000 tattoo that took two entire offseasons to complete?
The tattoo on Hinske’s back, pictured left, was just completed this winter.
“It’s just traditional Japanese styling tattoo,” he said. “I got a tattoo of a cross on my left arm when my grandfather died and I liked it so then I got one of a dragon on my other arm. I just liked the way it looked. Then I got addicted to it and I couldn’t stop. I had my arms and chest plates done so I just wanted to tie it all together so it looked like 0ne big piece. So I just got this big Japanese warrior and this snake wrapped around with the snake’s mouth open, with wind and clouds and stuff. It’s pretty cool.”
Hinske, who was signed as a free agent from the New York Yankees, said there is no special significance to the design. The outline and shading for the tattoo was done last winter. All of the coloring was done this winter, in nine or 10 settings covering 30 hours Altogether, it was 18 to 20 sittings covering 45 hours and totaling $5,000, paid to the order of the appropriately named, “Living Canvas” in Tempe, Ariz.
When asked if getting all of those tattoos hurt, Hinske said, “It’s hard to explain. It’s annoying. It’s like you’re getting stung by a bee for three or four hours.
“It was fun. But it was a lot of work. I finished all the color this offseason and by the end I was ready to stop. A lot of pain.”
Did his wife, Kathryn, object?
“I would call my wife an enabler,” he said. “She likes the way I look. She said, ‘Do whatever you want, it’s your body.’”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
186 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
5:58 pm
JLC– Yeah, he’s not Charles Atlas. But he must do something right to stick around this long.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
5:58 pm
Ted M — No women I ever dated.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
5:59 pm
That Guy — It’s posted. Hey, busy day.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
6:01 pm
Just Curious — Yes, that would be a dead deal. On a related note, Lindbergh made it. (Hah. Sorry. Couldn’t resist.)
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
6:02 pm
Country Boy — sure, sure. The cheap hair joke. OK. I can take it. My daughter makes bald jokes every day.
Henry D.
February 25th, 2010
6:03 pm
He is required to wear a shirt , right?
What an idiot.
dawgma
February 25th, 2010
6:04 pm
R those “LUV-handles”?
Rod Steiger
February 25th, 2010
6:19 pm
“THEY ARE NOT TATTOOS, THEY ARE BODY ILLUSTRATIONS..”.
FNFAL
February 25th, 2010
6:30 pm
What a complete fool. The dude’s not even Japanese! And is he “low-riding” is pants like a black gang member? I see he has serious identity problems.
Oh well, tattoos just make it easier for police to identify crooks.
jerry
February 25th, 2010
6:35 pm
SICK!!!!
Sonny Pedue
February 25th, 2010
6:39 pm
IF you like that, you should see my Klan motif that covers my back!
GovClintonTyree
February 25th, 2010
6:44 pm
That looks like sh!t. The only thing that looks sh!ttier is the shape he’s in. No wonder he rides pine. Maybe he shoulda done P90X with Prado and Diaz instead of sitting on his lard a$$ in a tattoo parlor.
Casey
February 25th, 2010
6:55 pm
Crappy looking tattoo, but I’d much rather him be on the news for that instead of being at some strip club throwing money everywhere, starting a fight, and ultimately a gun being pulled, or $5000 in guns or drugs being bought.
Crawl Back To Your Daddy's Lap
February 25th, 2010
6:59 pm
It’s really funny to see all the shock and outrage from the majority of bloggers on this subject. No wonder the Braves are loser because look at all their loser fans! Doesn’t matter what kind of ink a guy has on him if he can contribute.
These Southern Morons would rather have a guy who looks like GI Joe 1970, who may not hit a lick rather than some guy who can hit and help the team. but looks a little different.
Another thing is how much these fat azzes who blog here are complaining about the shape he’s in!
If some of you would get off your butt and get a real life instead of posting here 24 hours a day, you’d get in better shape yourselves!
Casey
February 25th, 2010
7:03 pm
Southern Morons? Last time I checked, US Southern folks are the only ones in this country who have our crap together. Not the implanted people, but the people who were born here have a wonderful sense of style, compassion about sports, and are geniune. Go back to your New York sewer and run your fowl mouth there.
Idiot Posters
February 25th, 2010
7:11 pm
Tattoos don’t make you a bad person. It’s ignorant morons posting about this non-news story that make people with tattoos look bad. Get over it you ignorant idiots. Tattoos are just cooler than you and you’re too stupid to realize it. So stay in Woodstock or Gwinnett and shut the hell up until you remember to not judge a book by its cover you antiquated nut suckers. You do realize it’s 2010 and tattoos have been around longer than America right? Probably not, chud lickers.
Ted Striker
February 25th, 2010
7:15 pm
Najeh — Excellent point on the thug comment. Most misappropriated description (and thinly veiled reference to something else entirely) comment in many sports blogs.
Crawl Back To Your Daddy's Lap
February 25th, 2010
7:17 pm
Casey, jack your IQ up a little. Go crawl into the foxhole with Sarge. He don’t care if you’re capable of covering his butt, only that you ain’t got no ink on you!
That just shows how stupid he is.
Nobody special
February 25th, 2010
7:24 pm
That image is revolting. ‘Scuse me. *barf*
ella dee
February 25th, 2010
7:43 pm
gross.
FNFAL
February 25th, 2010
7:48 pm
So paying someone to inject dye into your skin makes you a tough guy? And smart? Right, Daddy’s Lap?
BAWAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aundray Bruce's Mother
February 25th, 2010
7:51 pm
Aundray once came home and pulled off he shirt an’ showed us a bigazz tattoo of them dogs playin’ pool.
Lucky for his that it was only one of them washble ones! Cames right off!
DMBJAMS
February 25th, 2010
7:58 pm
You guys sound like a bunch of idiots. Dude hasn’t played one game.
GetwhatUpayfor
February 25th, 2010
8:03 pm
I brand my Horses and some stupid or sick people brand them selves with tattoos. Basketball Players in NBA look sick running up and down the floor with their whole body looking like a sign board. The other most noticed Tattoos are in jail or prison.
He got $5000 worth of crap.
Bill
February 25th, 2010
8:07 pm
Had a friend that got sick and we took him to EM at hospital. He had so many tattoos they couldn’t find his vains. 21 shots before they got one.
Falcons need more white players.
February 25th, 2010
8:09 pm
So what? Baseball sucks
Zack
February 25th, 2010
8:12 pm
On Mr. Hinske: Let’s hope he brings that winning-mojo with him, unlike when I drafted him on my Fantasy Baseball team in 2004. If he can hit .260 with 8-10 homers and 40 rbi in 150 ab’s in part time duty for Chipper and Glaus when they goes down for 20 games each this year and some DH in interleague, job well done sir. He’s capable.
And on the rest: So let’s rip the guy apart and take personal shots at his sexuality and integrity when he’s new in town and trying to open up a little bit to the fans. So you think it’s stupid. News flash kids: Nobody cares what you think. What makes you think you’re special enough for anyone to give a damn about your opinon. It’s his skin. And who are these people who are compelled to post “gross” or “ewww”? Are we on the playground or something here? It’s a grown-ass man who can do what he wants, and it’s none of our business really.
Nora
February 25th, 2010
8:13 pm
Mama always said, “Stupid is as stupid does”.
Poodskie
February 25th, 2010
8:21 pm
Nora, Mama was absolutely right. That is a lot of stupid on that person!
Get 911 on speed dial
February 25th, 2010
8:26 pm
Give the fact that tats disable your bodies’ ability to cool itself through sweat, he made a good choice signing with Atlanta. First start he gets in July or August at the Ted, he’ll be collapsing in the field around inning 6 and d.o.a. at de Gradys emergency room/clap clinic by inning 9.
Sigmund Freud
February 25th, 2010
8:44 pm
Me thinks this guy isn’t packing.
.
February 25th, 2010
8:44 pm
don’t like the crap but do like the way he plays ball.
Roundball
February 25th, 2010
8:44 pm
Gonna be some really uglyazz droopy old men around in years to come…
YellowJacket
February 25th, 2010
8:48 pm
You can’t spell uglyazz without uga.
FNFAL
February 25th, 2010
8:49 pm
don’t forget all the “masterpieces” stabbed into the womenfolk, Roundball.
gtfanfrom1951
February 25th, 2010
8:58 pm
He needs help!!!!!!!
Patrick
February 25th, 2010
9:11 pm
I think it looks stupid!
Mom with Tatts
February 25th, 2010
9:12 pm
What does whether or not he’s a parent have to do with anything? When I had my first tatt done my daughter was about four. From that point on she decided she was going to get one when she got older. Now she’s 17 and has two, both of which I love and think are beautiful. I even helped her pay for them. Now before anyone starts jumping up and down and calls child services, in FL it was perfectly legal for her to get them provided a parent or guardian was there and gave their permission, which both my husband and I did. I myself have three tattoos, all of which have special meaning to me. This is really going to drive you conservative sticks in the mud crazy…My daughter and I plan on getting a tatt together, we just can’t agree on what it will be yet. I already have her name and I don’t want her to get the proverbial “MOM”. When we know what it is we want and when the time is right, we’ll go see Layla at Magick Dragon Tattoos on Sugarloaf Parkway.
Chillax folks… life’s too darned short for you to be worried about what someone else does to their body!
38YearBravesFan
February 25th, 2010
9:28 pm
Anybody seen all of Moylan’s tats??? Jeff – get a picture of that next! Start a gallery!
GO BRAVES!!
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
9:46 pm
I gotta agree with “Mom with Tatts.” I think some of you are being pretty rough on Hinske. I mean, tattoos aren’t my thing and, no, I can’t see what would possess anybody to do that, either. But it’s his thing. I just did the blog because I thought it was interesting and obviously made a, well, unique visual. But I don’t think he should be attacked for this. He seems like a pretty cool guy to me and a dedicated father.
sugarfoot
February 25th, 2010
10:04 pm
NOT IMPRESSED. There is no accounting for stupidity, is there?
Brava
February 25th, 2010
10:04 pm
Welcome to Atlanta, Eric Hinske. I’m very excited and look forward to watching you and the Braves play baseball this year. Your tattoo is not my thing, but I think it’s cool that you are secure enough to share it with us. Be assured that for every rude and immature “fan” here, there are thousands of us who can appreciate your individuality and only hope that you have a successful, winning baseball season.
DMBJAMS
February 25th, 2010
10:14 pm
This blog reminds me of a bunch of gossiping old ladies. “Oh look at him. Thats unnatural.”
Citizen
February 25th, 2010
10:36 pm
I HOPE ALL OF YOU PEOPLE BASHING HINSKE, CALLING HIM STUPID AND WANTING HIM CUT ARE ALSO DOING THE SAME TO MOYLAN! He’s all inked up too. Does it change the way they play baseball?.. NO. SO WHY DO YOU GIVE A DAMN? It’s not affecting you. Tattoos like this are awesome and are pieces of art. GET OVER IT. It’s not the 1950s. SAYING YOU “WANT HIM CUT” BECAUSE OF HIS TATS IS THE DUMBEST, MOST IGNORANT STATEMENT I’VE EVER HEARD. I support Hinske and Moylan’s ink. Hell, I like em even more!
hind tit
February 25th, 2010
10:42 pm
i wonder what it will look like when he turns 80, maybe willie nelsons croch or worse his face.
Legend of Len Barker
February 25th, 2010
10:55 pm
It’s amazing all the abuse Hinske is taking. I’m sure we could go through the personal lives of the people who rag on him for this alone and find something each of thinks is humiliating, childish, and a complete waste of money.
Did any of you buy baseball cards as an investment? If so, ha, ha. The joke’s on you. At least Hinske is getting personal enjoyment out of his ink. Those Brien Taylor cards are just taking up space. I think we can apply that to a whole bunch of other hobbies.
Last time I checked, tattoos were quite legal. Since it passes that test, I think I’m only going to judge him based on what he does on the field.
S. McDonald
February 25th, 2010
11:33 pm
After reading this article I happened to look at the comments…which I never do. I find it amazing to be graced with thoughts of people who are obviously beautiful, athletic and God fearing people who would never judge. Who cares if this guy has tattoos, who cares if he as an adult chose to ink HIS body. The majority of people who commented on this (not all) had nothing positive to say, it’s unfortunate that this man, who could for all you know be the nicest guy you ever met has so many negative things said about him. If you were truly Braves fans you’d be positive about your team and the possibility of what he brings to the table. He has been around for 9 years, which in my eyes is a big accomplishment. But like I said, I’m sure all you successful millionaires who are above typical standards have done so much more with your lives.
Josh
February 26th, 2010
12:02 am
Man, you guys are so lame. So embarrassing.
Cool tat, Hinkse. Glad to have you here.
JAmes
February 26th, 2010
1:33 am
Give the guy a break. Chipper Jones spends this much on deer piss scent every year. All these guys have different hobbies. This is his.
My criticism is that he looks like that guy that women always complain about waking up next to in the morning: “…He said he was a baseball player, and i was SO drunk….”
Hit the gym, bro! Can’t show off those tats on a fat back!
Jordan Schafer’s tats put to shame by Eric Hinske « control+ATL+delete
February 26th, 2010
3:07 am
[...] were the non-baseball talk of spring training. That was until newly acquired Eric Hinske showed Jeff Schultz his newly acquired body art. Hinske spent two offseasons and $5 grand on this um, investment, and [...]