| A headhunter can be one of three things, a pitcher in | | | | tokens of courage and manhood. In many societies, |
| baseball, a savage, or an executive recruiter. But | | | | young headhunters are not able to marry until they |
| when you get right down to it what does the word | | | | have taken their first head. |
| headhunter really mean? | | | | “…there came vividly to my mind recollections |
| Definition of a Headhunter | | | | of the head-hunters--those grim, flinty, relentless little |
| There are three main definitions of a headhunter: | | | | men, never seen, but chilling the warmest noonday |
| (1) a pitcher in baseball who intentionally seeks to | | | | by the subtle terror of their concealed |
| harm an opponent (2) a member of any tribe or race | | | | presence...” The Head-Hunter, by O. Henry |
| of savages who have the custom of decapitating | | | | (1862-1910) |
| human beings and preserving their heads as trophies | | | | The Corporate Headhunter |
| (3) a person whose profession is to find executives | | | | A headhunter is another name for an executive |
| to fill open positions in corporations | | | | recruiter who usually operates as a third-party, |
| The Baseball Headhunter | | | | whereas a recruiter who works in-house is known as |
| In baseball, a beanball is a pitch which is intentionally | | | | Human Resources. The first person who described |
| thrown at a batter’s head. Pitchers who are | | | | their profession as a 'headhunter' would have |
| know to throw beanballs are know as Headhunters. | | | | probably been using the term jokingly, well aware |
| A headhunter who throws a beanball rarely uses it as | | | | that their audience knew the normal (tribal) meaning |
| a strategic throw, most of the time it is thrown in | | | | of headhunting. However the headhunter name |
| anger and frustration. However batters who are | | | | caught on due largely to the efforts of the people |
| facing known headhunters may alter their approach | | | | engaged in headhunting. Headhunters quite literally |
| to hitting the ball in interest of self protection. In the | | | | "pirate" the heads and key people of a corporation, |
| history of major league baseball there has been only | | | | leaving that corporation without their leadership, and |
| one player who has died after being hit by a | | | | core people - subsequently loping off the heads of |
| headhunter, Indians shortstop Ray Chapman, who | | | | the organization. |
| was hit by a beanball on August 16, 1920 and died | | | | Other Famous Headhunters |
| twelve hours later. | | | | The Headhunters is a professional wrestling tag team |
| The Tribal Headhunter | | | | that consists of twin brothers Manuel and Victor |
| Headhunting has been practiced all throughout history | | | | Santiago |
| in almost every corner of the world. In fact | | | | US 9th Cavalry Regiment is nicknamed the |
| headhunters had thrived in the Balkan region right up | | | | Headhunters, because it was estimated to have been |
| until the early 20th century. Headhunter tribes usually | | | | responsible for 50% of the enemy kills during the |
| believed in the existence of soul matter, which could | | | | Vietnam War |
| be captured and added to the general stock of soul | | | | The Headhunters are a popular jazz-funk fusion band, |
| matter belonging to the tribe. The soul matter could | | | | best known for their albums they recorded with jazz |
| then be used in rituals to contribute to anything from | | | | keyboard player Herbie Hancock during the 1970s |
| the fertility of the human population, to livestock and | | | | US 80th Fighter Squadron was nicknamed the |
| even crops. Taking the head of an enemy was also | | | | Headhunters after the local New Guinean Headhunter |
| said to weaken the power of that enemy. | | | | tribes who hated the Japanese and helped to rescue |
| Headhunters would keep the heads as trophies as | | | | downed pilots. |