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.’”
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186 comments Add your comment
Xalz
February 26th, 2010
4:11 am
Nice blog story, Dave. I like the content being kept light and steady for ST and WM this year.
Too bad so many people are degrading (or judging as one poster stated) Hinske and people with tattoos. I read a report that over 20% of the Millennial Generation has tattoos… that’s an awful lot of folks to automatically categorize as “stupid” or assume they have any disfavor with the Lord over their superficial appearance decisions. We can add in a good many more due for time in Purgatory for plastic surgery and piercings, while revisitng arguments on clothing, hair and makeup.
Can we get a little more soul around here or what? Nice tats Hinske. Even if it ain’t my thing I can take a gander and appreciate the art. Some folks around might still burn rock and roll records and bash Dali as the devil’s own painter, but “It Ain’t Me Babe.”
Xalz
February 26th, 2010
4:12 am
My bad, Jeff. Nice blog post!
uberVU - social comments
February 26th, 2010
5:35 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by MikeSherman: Is Banana Republic part of it? RT @JeffSchultzAJC: Take a look at Eric Hinske’s $5,000 tattoo. I kid you not. http://bit.ly/9fuWmx…
Denitio del Toro
February 26th, 2010
8:30 am
i think it’s awesome . . . Kudos to Hinske
gdawginkalamazoo
February 26th, 2010
8:51 am
It begs the question “Where have you gone Dale Murphy?”
[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Hisnke’s Underwear, Hellboy’s New Pitch And JoeMa’s New Slogan | Rays Index
February 26th, 2010
8:59 am
[...] anybody see his new full-sleeve tattoo, but unfortunately, Eric Hinske (right) is not as shy about his full-back, two half-sleeves tattoo. We are still not sure what is more disturbing about this picture: the tattoo. or the Banana [...]
Bob
February 26th, 2010
9:00 am
Hey, if that is what he wants to do good for him. Why does the majority of these comments have to knock someone down? Is it so they can feel big? To bad you can’t make the money he does or better yet enjoy what you are doing with your life. I am sure he enjoys what he does and that is all that matters. By the way I don’t have one tattoo.
Jeff R
February 26th, 2010
9:13 am
Sure, the full back tattoo is Hinke’s perogative. But when you take off your shirt and allow a photo of your glorious Japanese artwork, you’ve invited all sorts of comments, ranging from good to bad. Don’t want the comments, don’t advertise.
Paddy O
February 26th, 2010
9:23 am
you folks that are criticizing this are why progress doesn’t happen in Georgia – you get distracted by BS. Hinski is a really good player, fantastic off the bench, I was sorry to see him leave the Red Sox. Also, anybody see a linemen in football? The question is, can you hit a baseball? you don’t have to be a body builder to tri-athalon runner to play baseball – the skill set is distinct, and based on the pay, not many people can do it at this level. A lot of twits are really narrow minded redneck bashing fair weather fans. Don’t be so bloody shallow.
Nora
February 26th, 2010
9:48 am
Funny how all these indignant people are jumping up in defense saying, “How can you judge him for his tattoos? You are all mean spirited bigots…blah, blah, blah…” Keep in mind that this picture wasn’t snapped by the paparazzi in an unguarded moment. This is something he wanted to put out there for everyone to see. In that case you have to expect that people are going to express their opinions about it and every opinion is going to be favorable. Some folks like me aren’t reacting against tattoos, per se, just ill conceived and executed ones like that (IMO!)
And to the Mom with Tatts who is so proud of how she “shocks” conservative sticks in the mud with her tattoos, don’t get too smug. I am an ultraconservative mother and grandmother in the ‘burbs who got a tattoo with my daughter in law. (just one very small one, but a tattoo all the same!) It is hardly shocking to my ultraconservative family, neighbors, or church members. I guess you think you are a rocking rebel with the Mommy and me tatts, but that is just run of the mill nowadays. Sorry to disappoint!
NUTS & BOLTS: ERIC HINSKE’S $5000 TATTOO - BigLeagueScrew
February 26th, 2010
10:16 am
[...] Eric Hinske has $5000 worth of ink on his back. [AJC] [...]
gdawginkalamazoo
February 26th, 2010
10:25 am
Paddy O, Evidently he put it out there for public opinion so…..
“you folks that are criticizing this are why progress doesn’t happen in Georgia..”
Progress? LMAO! Now that’s funny as hell.
judd
February 26th, 2010
10:32 am
there are 2 guys on a baseball team that can have tats like that and it’s a good thing– closers and bench guys. those players have to be alittle different to really be good at what they do. if you want hinske to help the braves, tell him to get some face tattoos, too. i love it.
Sue
February 26th, 2010
10:45 am
AWESOME TATTOO! Super excited to have you on the team…don’t listen to the haters!! Tattooing isn’t for everyone, but for those of us who know and love it…we can appreciate great work when we see it! Good luck this season and welcome to Atlanta!
All I'm Saying...
February 26th, 2010
11:03 am
Type your displeasure if you want as that’s your right but it’s his body and his money and if his wife is cool with the ‘body illustration’ or ‘tatoo’ then so be it. As long as he does his job between the lines, he’s fine by me.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
over it
February 26th, 2010
12:31 pm
I never seen a a bigger bunch of self rightoues asses in my life. He can do whatever he likes with his body. Don’t like it? so what. Go back to hicksville and spend your money however you choose, without judgement I suspect. I say better on tats that to some huckster pitching a magic man in the sky.
LifelongDawg
February 26th, 2010
12:34 pm
Who REALLY cares?…
MCB
February 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
just a heads up, reading your comments makes GA look pretty darn intolerant (and I’m not talking about Garrett Anderson). There was a time when people got this upset about women wearing “long pants”.
So just let people do what they want to do. I think it looks pretty cool. Notice how it doesn’t extend beyond the shirtsleeves… it’s not like he’s putting it on display for the fans. It’s for him.
street smart
February 26th, 2010
12:37 pm
Duuuuuuude—-you got a picture of a dude permanetly affixed to your back, Why would a man want to have himself represented by having an image of another man on his back? Will it make it easier for him to score a grand slam? He should have used all that $ fr something a little more practical
matt
February 26th, 2010
12:42 pm
why so much animosity towards hinske over his tattoos? who the f cares?
Still
February 26th, 2010
1:37 pm
I love seeing people with Tattoos. It makes it easier to spot the idiots.
Nicole
February 26th, 2010
1:44 pm
Many of the Braves Players are tattooed. Here are a few videos, where Peter Moylan, Jordan Schafer, Martin Prado, and Kris Medlen are getting tattooed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJXijjHQfxI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSIGEYtDvRM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uu46oSxgVU
http://www.allornothingtattoo.com
MiChelle
February 26th, 2010
1:48 pm
My heart actually breaks for all of you who feel so much anger and hatred over what someone else puts on their body. Have you ever stopped to question why you find this so offensive? Another interesting observation is how Christians used to be persecuted, and now they are the persecuters.
Ciberpimp
February 26th, 2010
1:55 pm
I never understood why people comment negatively on a topic when they dont have to. LET THE MAN ENJOY his Tat and those who love them also. If you have a negative comment keep it to yourself. I’m pretty sure your not liked by as many people as he is.
Jeff
February 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
This guy is a pro athlete? Nice love handles.
Bev
February 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
Nice ART!!
Bob
February 26th, 2010
2:23 pm
People who get tattoos are idiots. Do they not realize that their taste in body decoration five or ten or twenty years from now doesn’t quite match today’s? I would bet a lot of money that the vast majority of people who are tatted up develop a huge sense of regret after a few years (or less).
Bob
February 26th, 2010
2:25 pm
He now can play basketball and join the other ugly tatooer’s….
When he’s 60 he’ll say, “…why did I do it?….”.
Carl
February 26th, 2010
2:34 pm
Where are the real fans for the Braves? If any of you negative comment people had followed Hinske’s career you would know how much he is respected, in the baseball world. I think you all should take time to look in the mirror. He didn’t get where he is today by being an idiot or not keeping his body in shape. “Thou Shall Not Judge.”
Barry MCokiner
February 26th, 2010
3:46 pm
Hinsie- Are those the color coordinated “fun-der-wear”? The white with yellow in the front, brown to the back?
Ha ha ha
February 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
That is going to look awesome when he’s old. LOL, what a tool.
Milledgeville escapee
February 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
This certainly impresses me. Too bad you did not save this for Sunday and run a photo that I could color with my Crayolas. Or you could have run a coloring contest for the children and give away Braves tickets.
Is this supposed to be news, a feature, a personal interest story, or just something to take up space because you could not sell an ad?
Cynthia
February 26th, 2010
4:52 pm
They obviously have money to burn spending $5,000 on this tattoo. I’m too frugal!
saywhat?
February 26th, 2010
4:54 pm
Great looking tatoo! I love the style, and it looks like quality work, too. Ignore the haters, dude!
makmtxe
February 26th, 2010
4:56 pm
Man this thread sounds as bad as Toronto fans years back, do not worry about the TaT if your interested in baseball just watch his stats and hope he helps the braves have a great year.
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