In his second year on the job, Hillenbrand is still learning and showing a lot of class
By Bob Hohler
Boston Globe
4/9/2002
Saturday wasn't the worst day of his life. After all, Shea Hillenbrand singled, knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly, and was robbed of a hit when Baltimore center fielder Chris Singleton made a diving grab of his line drive at Camden Yards. In his only other crack at Scott Erickson's nasty stuff, Hillenbrand grounded out.
But that was enough for the Red Sox third baseman to reach for a phone after the 4-2 victory and call for help. The voice on the other of end of the line belonged to Doug Gardner, a sports psychologist whose counsel Hillenbrand has followed like the North Star on his journey toward baseball's promised land.
The results? Hillenbrand swatted a pair of two-run homers Sunday to produce all the Sox runs in a 4-1 victory over the Orioles. Hillenbrand never before had hit two homers or knocked in four runs in a game.
''Without him, I wouldn't be here,'' Hillenbrand said of Gardner. ''He's the one, bar none.''
Well, not quite. It's not easy being a player like Hillenbrand, who is trying to make his way in the majors as an everyday third baseman just 18 months after he was the regular catcher at Double A Trenton. It's no picnic hearing fans ride you as you learn how to play third on the job. Or knowing fans want more production from your position.
He's all of 26, but Hillenbrand is still a kid among giants, the Sox' youngest and least-seasoned starter. No one in the starting lineup may need a stronger support system. And, fortunately for him, few have a better one.
Gardner, who roves the minor leagues for the Sox dispensing psychological help to players, is the guy Hillenbrand often speed-dials in a pinch. He's the one who reminds Hillenbrand of the need for consistency and perseverance. The one who urges him to tap his ''resources'' by studying the greats such as Nomar Garciaparra and Manny Ramirez and absorbing the advice of mentors such as hitting coach Dwight Evans and infield instructor Luis Aguayo.
Hillenbrand speaks with Gardner several times a week.
''I think it's the reason why I have the success I do have,'' he said. ''It keeps me consistent at this level, which is difficult.''
But Hillenbrand also relies on his wife, Jessica, who has witnessed his long climb from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, where he was Boston's 10th draft pick in the 1996 draft. An All-State soccer star coming out of Mountain View High School in Mesa, Hillenbrand was hotly pursued by colleges and European teams to play soccer and virtually ignored by baseball scouts. He was such a long shot as a baseball player that the Sox signed him for a meager $25,000 bonus.
Jessica supported Hillenbrand when the Sox ordered him to Australia from Single A Sarasota just after their wedding in 1997 so he could transform himself from a shortstop to a catcher. She helped him battle back from surgery in 1999 to repair a torn ACL after he wrenched his right knee diving for a ball with Trenton. She was there in his glory days last year, when he stunned fans by making the starting lineup out of spring training and hitting .343 in April. She also was there as he struggled the rest of the way after pitchers realized they could get him to swing at just about anything.
In his worst times, he said, she let him ''vent.''
''I can talk to her about anything and she understands,'' he said. ''She's been there since Day 1. I think that may be my biggest advantage, being able to communicate with her and get things out instead of keeping them in.''
Hillenbrand finished his rookie season at a respectable .263 with 12 homers and 49 RBIs, which Ramirez has reminded him is not too shabby. In Ramirez's first full season with Cleveland in 1994, he hit .269 with 17 homers and 60 RBIs.
Of course, Hillenbrand may have trouble matching Ramirez's sophomore numbers: .308 with 31 homers and 107 RBIs. But he's off to another fast start (.375, with two homers and a team-leading six RBIs), making the adjustments he will need to succeed, such as being more selective at the plate. Despite two throwing errors in the first four games, he also appears to have improved at third. And he indisputably ranks among the hardest-working players on the team.
''He's not nearly the player he's going to be,'' manager Grady Little said. ''He's going to continue to work hard to get better and better, offensively and defensively.''
When he struggles, Hillenbrand turns not only to Gardner and Jessica for support. He has his dogs, three standard schnauzers: Majerle, Faith, and Hope. He spent his only day off during spring training visiting a pet store in Fort Myers, Fla., where he added Hope to the family.
''They're awesome,'' he said. ''You can have the worst day and come home and they put a smile on your face. Between them and my wife, it's wonderful.''
It may sound sappy, but it seems to be working for Hillenbrand.