Kudos to Koyie

I haven’t seen much Koyie Hill love around here recently, and I think he deserves some, with Soto’s return on the horizon. I didn’t know what to expect when we named Hill the backup, but he has handled the reigns well. In 5+ games and 20 at bats, Hill has 6 hits (.300BA) including a double and a clutch go-ahead 2R homer, 3 runs scored, 5 RBIs, 3 walks, and a .417 OBP. I realize he probably won’t keep this up, but for a [hopefully] short injury to Soto he’s done much better than I expected. Attaboy.

almost 3 years ago sparky39762 22 comments 6 recs |

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So far, so good.

Lou clearly made the right choice.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 14, 2009 1:40 PM CDT reply actions

Hill is one of those stories that the organization roots for outside the limelight. He once was a top catching prospect out of LAD then came up with AZ but really was on a short leash. Came to the Cubs and in ’07 came up and did well late in the season. He basically tutored Soto on Iowa that year. As the story goes he really screwed up playing with a table saw and self-amputated some of his fingers….not a good thing for a prospective MLB player. He worked like the fiend rehabbing and getting himself back last year and basically beat out Bako. This is a big inside story. He is smart, and can handle a pitching staff. As a hitter he is above serviceable for a catching back up. He now is a bit dinged and gut out these games so Soto can fully heal.

The kudos also go to Piniella——he decided it would have been safer to go with the old veteran. But Lou and staff knew Hill and so does the staff…Marmol, Marshall, Guzman, Cotts, Samardz they know him on the bus as does the staff that has been hear.

He will contribute well this year and hopefully a few years to come.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Apr 14, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd response in a fanshot that should be rec'd too.

Derrek Lee is good.

by DGU on Apr 14, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

A two-car Rec, eh?

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by daver on Apr 14, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions

is this what you were referring too dat?

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Apr 14, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions

The South Africans would understand that goofy concept...

…check this out. The only catch is that you have to drive around with what appears to be a mattress strapped to the roof of your SUV.

"I'd rather play baseball than eat." - Andy Pafko

by LaddieRenfroe on Apr 14, 2009 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions

actually that looks pretty cool, especially for camping out here in the Rockies

Biggest problem camping above 8,000 to 10,000 feet is cold and hail in the summer, where you want to have the mobility of a over the road to either take in some of the nice remote National Forest campgrounds or if you adventure off trail in some forest service road. Can’t do it with a trailer or hard top and sleeping in the back of a pick up sucks.

This would sell in CA, Utah, MT, WA and CO

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Apr 15, 2009 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions

I bet the brewers were asking

themselves Who is Koyie Hill? He hit thier pitching pretty well. Even that at-bat he couldn’t get a bunt down with the first 2 strikes, he ended up getting a base hit. Hopefully he can keep it up.

by dlee25 on Apr 14, 2009 1:46 PM CDT reply actions

They really didn't know.

Their scorecard said “KOYLE HILL”.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 14, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm glad his defense is solid...

Whatever offense he provides is a plus.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Apr 14, 2009 1:47 PM CDT reply actions

Koyie's looked pretty solid defensively...

…and, as you mention, he’s been surprisingly productive at the plate. I didn’t get a chance to say this at the time, but I was a little embarassed for him when he threw that temper tantrum immediately following the Brewers walk-off win the other day. There was no getting around the fact that Weeks was safe. But I was impressed as well – I like to see that kind of passion to win. His apology afterward was well-stated, too.

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by daver on Apr 14, 2009 1:57 PM CDT reply actions

i like hill

still would prefer Hank but I still think Hill was the better choice over Bako.

by Glacier on Apr 14, 2009 2:03 PM CDT reply actions

For those of you who missed it...

…Hank White had a two-home-run game on Saturday. He also picked the dastardly Edgar Renteria off of first base. Henry is currently hitting .333/.400/1.000 in nine ABs on the young season.

Not tryin’ to start no trouble – I’m perfectly satisfied with Koyie Hill so far. Just wanted to give Hank White a shout-out.

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by daver on Apr 14, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Daver

If you love him, let him go.

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by tony412 on Apr 14, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Free, free...set Hank free....free, free...set Hank free...

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by daver on Apr 14, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

We can't quit you, Hank White :-)

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Apr 14, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I appreciate everything

THE CLAW has done for us. :D

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Apr 14, 2009 2:46 PM CDT reply actions

The Claw, eh?

Hmmm, I’ll have to think about this one. I’m not sure Koyie would appreciate that nickname.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Apr 14, 2009 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

my friends and i called him

“The Modest Mound.”

Play on words, a coy hill… get it?

by lswaidz on Apr 14, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

See, now that one I like right away.

Very clever.

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by daver on Apr 14, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Hilll has more then help his own

and I love seeing the fight he has

Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.

by Cubbie-Tim on Apr 14, 2009 3:42 PM CDT reply actions

I'm glad he made the team

I was impressed by his catching ability when he got the call up in 2007 and thought he had the potential to improve as a hitter. Based on his early performance, it looks like he’s a lot more comfortable at the plate now that he’s had a few major league ABs. I think he’s going to contribute way more to the team than Bako would have.

And where are you going to find a tougher catcher? The fact that he was playing professional baseball just a few months after he cut off his fingers is absolutely mind boggling. I also heard Len and Bob talking about how he once played a minor league game with a broken ankle. That’s impressive!

by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Apr 15, 2009 11:14 AM CDT reply actions