Koyie Hill’s career in the Majors started out in 2003 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had just 3 at-bats that year as he spent almost the entire season in the minors. Hill spent the next two seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization but a broken ankle put him on the shelf for most of 2004. Hill was released by the D-backs after the 2005 season and signed with the Yankees. He never played with the big league team and was again released after the season. In 2007 he signed with the Chicago Cubs and it looks like he finally found a home, as he has been with the organization ever since. Hill has always been an average player at best, but as a catcher he calls a great game and plays with a lot of heart. Teammates in the minors called him a leader on and off the field. This offseason has been a special one for Hill, and the reason might just shock you.

On October 17, 2007 Hill was using a table saw to cut wood for a window frame. Part of the wood got caught in the saw and his right (throwing) hand got in the way. He cut off his thumb and the tops of all four of his fingers below the nail. Hill was able to get his fingers re-attached, and after months and months of therapy, he was finally able to get some motion back.

Today, the catcher’s hand looks much different and he cannot bend two of his fingers. The other two fingers don’t work the same either. Nevertheless, Hill has done what many thought was impossible and has gone back to not only playing baseball again, but beating out veteran catcher Paul Bako for a backup spot on the Cubs Major League team. On Tuesday April 7, 2009 the Cubs starting catcher Geovany Soto left the game with shoulder soreness and Hill came into the game. He then threw out Kaz Matsui trying to steal second base. Welcome back Koyie Hill.