SUMMARY
- Rickey Hill developed a passion for baseball from a young age, despite being born with a degenerative disorder in his spine.
- Rickey Hill's baseball journey, documented in the biographical film "The Hill," began in the summer of 1975 when he tried out for the Montreal Expos, a minor league team.
Baseball is magic. It is said that ‘play’ is the highest form of art. When a kid with a clean slate discovers something that they love for the first time, it becomes their dream and purpose in life. Some might grow up and have a change of heart, but for others, their first love is their forever love. For young Rickey Hill baseball became just that, a form of play that he never wanted to be rid of.
The Hill, a biographical film about the same young man came out last year and it presented a story about the life of Rickey Hill who despite all odds never stopped trying to keep his feet in the ballpark. Born with a degenerative disorder in his spine, Rickey had to use leg braces to walk when he was five.
He first found baseball when his older brother played with him with literal stick and stones at seven. The stone would be the baseball and the stick the baseball bat. This little time of fun became the cornerstone of Rickey’s narrative in the baseball world.
Imagine a kid hurling stones at another kid, who was swinging his stick in an attempt to send the stone hurling back. So, what became of Rickey Hill?
What happened to Rickey Hill?
Throughout his childhood in the 1960s and 1970s, the young phenom kindled a passion for the sport unlike ever seen before. His family, especially his father fretted about his kid hurting himself all the while Rickey was making his way slowly but surely toward one of the grandest stages of baseball. His baseball journey unfurled in the summer of 1975 when the 19-year-old tried out for a minor league team called the Montreal Expos. He went on to play for four minor league teams before the final curtain call.
Over four seasons, he went from a rookie with the Lethbridge Expos to donning the uniform of the High-A Level with the Rio Grande Valley Whitewings and the Texas City Stars. His last step in the journey unfolded with the Harbor Loggers, where he went against some formidable opponents.
Ricky hill changed my life I’m crying in the crowd rn
— JayneDough (@jaynedoughboy) January 20, 2024
According to screenrant.com, his stats were very impressive. With a.331 average, 10 home runs, 20 doubles, and 54 RBIs in 99 games. His final season continued the a brilliant .286 average, an incredible 15 home runs, and 51 RBIs in just 63 games. With these numbers it is said, that the young phenom would have made it to the Major Leagues soon had not fate intervened with a tragic turn.
Where is Hill now?
At 22, following the 1978 season, Hill’s path was cast upon by a dark shadow as severe back and spine troubles brought an untimely end to his playing days. Despite his rehabilitation efforts, his body refused to comply, leading to an early retirement. But the story doesn’t end there, Rickey Hill has found another way to stay close to baseball. He now coaches Little League teams in Fort Worth, Texas.
that movie the hill on netflix was so good & inspiring & based on a true story so incredible all that Rickey Hill overcame the true definition of never giving up on your dreams
— mamamoo (@thelovelyMC) January 22, 2024
He also has stepped into his father’s shoes. He now dedicates himself to preaching and teaching communities about conquering adversity and chasing dreams as long as they bring happiness. The film, much like an artistic masterpiece, beautifully captures the essence of his journey and his love for the game.
