Eric Hillman
Encyclopedia
John Eric Hillman is a former Major League Baseball
and Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher
. He pitched his entire 3-year MLB career with the New York Mets
(1992–1994). After his MLB career, he pitched in NPB from 1995-1998 for the Chiba Lotte Marines
and the Yomiuri Giants
. Hillman was tied with fellow former pitcher Randy Johnson
and current pitchers Andrew Sisco of the New York Yankees
organization and Chris Young of the New York Mets
, for the tallest player in the league, at , before later being passed by Jon Rauch
of the Toronto Blue Jays
. Hillman worked as an analyst for FSN Rocky Mountain's
coverage of the Colorado Rockies
between 2005-2008.
. 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. He played high school ball at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
and Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He pitched his entire 3-year MLB career with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(1992–1994). After his MLB career, he pitched in NPB from 1995-1998 for the Chiba Lotte Marines
Chiba Lotte Marines
The are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, in the Kantō region, and owned by the Lotte conglomerate.-History:...
and the Yomiuri Giants
Yomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...
. Hillman was tied with fellow former pitcher Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....
and current pitchers Andrew Sisco of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
organization and Chris Young of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, for the tallest player in the league, at , before later being passed by Jon Rauch
Jon Rauch
Jon Erich Rauch is a right-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. At 6' 11" , he is the tallest player in Major League Baseball history. He is also an Olympic Gold Medalist.-Early years:...
of the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. Hillman worked as an analyst for FSN Rocky Mountain's
FSN Rocky Mountain
Root Sports Rocky Mountain is a regional sports network based in Denver, Colorado. The network is part of the DirecTV Sports Networks and is an affiliate of Fox Sports Net...
coverage of the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
between 2005-2008.
Nippon Professional Baseball career
He 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 nineBest Nine Award
The Best Nine Award is awarded annually to the best player at each position in both the Central League and Pacific League of Japanese professional baseball as determined by a pool of journalists.-History:...
. Hillman was also voted MVP of the 1996 All-Star game. In 1997, the Yomiuri Giants
Yomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...
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. He played high school ball at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.