Hillman played high school ball at Homewood-Flossmoor in suburban Chicago, and then collegiately at Eastern Illinois University. He pitched his entire 3-year MLB career with the New York Mets (1992–1994). After his MLB career, he pitched in NPB from 1995 to 1998 for the Chiba Lotte Marines and the Yomiuri Giants. Hillman was tied with fellow pitcher Randy Johnson for the tallest player in league history at 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), before later being passed by 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) Jon Rauch.[1]
Hillman also played four seasons in Japan. He played first with the Chiba Lotte Marines where Bobby Valentine was manager. In 1995, his first season in Japan, Hillman had 12 wins and 9 losses. In 1996, he logged 14 wins and 9 losses and was voted the best nine. Hillman was also voted MVP of the 1996 All-Star game. In 1997, the Yomiuri Giants purchased his contract, signing him to a $7.5 million, two-year deal. The Giants expected him to be a key player in their quest for a championship.
Hillman, however, disappointed as he spent most of the time on the disabled list with shoulder pain. In 1997, he pitched only 6 innings. In 1998, he was still on the disabled list and continued to have severe pain in his throwing shoulder. On June 1, 1998 the Giants released him. After returning to the US, Hillman underwent arthroscopic surgery in July, 1998. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery and discovered a full thickness tear in the rotator cuff, a diagnosis the Japanese doctors and trainers had missed. Hillman officially retired from baseball on April 19, 2000.
References
^Svrluga, Barry (8 March 2007). "Rauch Reaches All-Time High". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
External links
Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
February 27, 2023
eric, hillman, john, born, april, 1966, american, former, major, league, baseball, nippon, professional, baseball, pitcher, hillman, with, tidewater, tides, 1992pitcherborn, 1966, april, 1966, gary, indiana, batted, leftthrew, leftprofessional, debutmlb, 1992,. John Eric Hillman born April 27 1966 is an American former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher Eric HillmanHillman with the Tidewater Tides in 1992PitcherBorn 1966 04 27 April 27 1966 age 56 Gary Indiana U S Batted LeftThrew LeftProfessional debutMLB May 18 1992 for the New York MetsNPB April 4 1995 for the Chiba Lotte MarinesLast appearanceMLB May 30 1994 for the New York MetsNPB May 14 1997 for the Yomiuri GiantsMLB statisticsWin loss record4 14Earned run average4 85Strikeouts96NPB statisticsWin loss record26 19Earned run average2 64Strikeouts243TeamsNew York Mets 1992 1994 Chiba Lotte Marines 1995 1996 Yomiuri Giants 1997 Hillman played high school ball at Homewood Flossmoor in suburban Chicago and then collegiately at Eastern Illinois University He pitched his entire 3 year MLB career with the New York Mets 1992 1994 After his MLB career he pitched in NPB from 1995 to 1998 for the Chiba Lotte Marines and the Yomiuri Giants Hillman was tied with fellow pitcher Randy Johnson for the tallest player in league history at 6 ft 10 in 2 08 m before later being passed by 6 ft 11 in 2 11 m Jon Rauch 1 Hillman worked as an analyst for FSN Rocky Mountain s coverage of the Colorado Rockies between 2005 and 2008 Nippon Professional Baseball career EditHillman also played four seasons in Japan He played first with the Chiba Lotte Marines where Bobby Valentine was manager In 1995 his first season in Japan Hillman had 12 wins and 9 losses In 1996 he logged 14 wins and 9 losses and was voted the best nine Hillman was also voted MVP of the 1996 All Star game In 1997 the Yomiuri Giants purchased his contract signing him to a 7 5 million two year deal The Giants expected him to be a key player in their quest for a championship Hillman however disappointed as he spent most of the time on the disabled list with shoulder pain In 1997 he pitched only 6 innings In 1998 he was still on the disabled list and continued to have severe pain in his throwing shoulder On June 1 1998 the Giants released him After returning to the US Hillman underwent arthroscopic surgery in July 1998 Dr James Andrews performed the surgery and discovered a full thickness tear in the rotator cuff a diagnosis the Japanese doctors and trainers had missed Hillman officially retired from baseball on April 19 2000 References Edit Svrluga Barry 8 March 2007 Rauch Reaches All Time High The Washington Post Retrieved 1 August 2016 External links EditCareer statistics and player information from MLB or ESPN or Baseball Reference or Fangraphs or Baseball Reference Minors or Retrosheet Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Eric Hillman amp oldid 1122155339, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
