Third baseman finally has found his niche
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
07/08/2002
MILWAUKEE -- Shea Hillenbrand -- who grew up in Arizona and California -- now speaks with a slight Bostonian accent and has the passion of a lifelong Red Sox enthusiast.
He was asked at Monday's All-Star media session to imagine -- as many Boston fans have in the past 84 years -- a Red Sox World Series title.
"Well, we'd probably have to spend the night in the clubhouse," he said. "Fenway Park is old, maybe the fans would tear down the stadium. But it would be the biggest thing the town has ever seen. It would be incredible."
Hillenbrand is a true Red Sox player, a hard-nosed, gritty guy who has impressed the manager of the rival Yankees, Joe Torre. Hillenbrand will start at third base and bat second in Tuesday's All-Star Game.
"The kid is having a wonderful season," Torre said.
Hillenbrand admits his story is compelling and astounding. Once a top Red Sox catching prospect, his career was derailed when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in July 1999.
The Red Sox designated Hillenbrand for assignment three months later, only to bring him back with a minor-league contract before the 2000 season. The Red Sox gave him one last shot as an infielder for Double-A Trenton.
He fully capitalized on his opportunity, leading all Boston minor-leaguers with a .323 average and setting a Trenton franchise record with 171 hits and 35 doubles. That earned him a 2001 Spring Training invitation. Against the Yankees in a Spring Training game in Tampa, he made a lasting impression on then-manager Jimy Williams.
Hillenbrand, playing first base, took a ball off his face to save a hit and recorded the out. Shortly after, Williams told Hillenbrand he had made the Major League team.
"I think that play stood out in his eyes," Hillenbrand said. "Maybe some other guys would have protected themselves and let the ball go through, but that wasn't me. I was going to do whatever I needed to [do] to stop it. It was not a big deal to me."
Hillenbrand has more homers and RBIs in 83 games this year than he had all of last season, when he played 139 games. The Red Sox had several players projected to be the heir apparent to John Valentin at third base. Hillenbrand was not mentioned in that group.
But his determined and relentless style could not be ignored in a city that embraces hard-working players. In a clubhouse of highly paid superstars, Hillenbrand is a blue-collar guy who has become indoctrinated to the Boston way.
"Winning a title there would be an amazing thing for Boston," he said. "I know the (NFL's) Patriots won a title, but it doesn't compare to the Red Sox.
"That's what makes it fun playing in a place like this. I grew up in L.A. and you can't even compare it. Playing in Boston is just a tremendous thing that you can't even imagine."