Nice, somewhat unusual photo choice. Looks like he's taking a relay throw from the outfield.
The 1980s were an era when there were still a lot of "characters" in baseball. I didn't realize Hill was one of those characters, he was out-flaked by others at the time. He must have done more than just imitate manager Jim Fregosi to get this quote out of him: “Why, he’s goofier than a bedbug. I know he’s from a planet, but I’m not sure it’s ours. Maybe our solar system. But definitely not our planet.”
Hill, like some bloggers we know, grew up a Dodgers fan in the 1970s. He did impressions of lots of Dodgers, like Don Sutton, Davey Lopes and Ron Cey. As the middle panel notes, he started throwing lefty at age 11. That was because he dislocated his right elbow in a little league game and was told he never would play again. Instead, he started imitating Dodgers pitcher Tommy John and threw left-handed to keep playing.
I remember Hill for his playing days with the A's... but not the Sox. Definitely didn't know about him being ambidextrous or that he enjoyed impersonating his manager and teammates. Probably a good thing he didn't play under Billy Martin. I don't think he would have appreciated Donnie do that :D
ReplyDeleteGreat quote from Fregosi. I wonder if any video exists of Hill's impersonations.
ReplyDeleteReggie Smith, the right fielder of those dodger teams, was reportedly ambidextrous.
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