MLB All-Star Game

The number of local viewers of the Major League Baseball All-Star game probably was the largest ever as area pholks cheered for one of their own, Visalia native Aaron Hill, the Toronto Blue Jays second baseman.

Hill has been a big leaguer for a couple of years, but after missing most of last year following a concussion, has had a real All-Star year. Amigos Restaurant and Cantina at 5113 W. Walnut Ave., near Akers where his dad, Walt Hill, is a frequent customer and, according to general manager Pam Perkins, “one of our favorite clients and a really good friend,” had the banquet room booked and expected an enthusiastic crowd of Hill supporters. Walt Hill, of course, went to the game.

Amigos is one of the area's most popular sports fan venues, so Tuesday night's crowd surely was glued to the game especially when Aaron Hill's name was mentioned or he was on screen from St. Louis.

Richard Freitas, bar manager at the Lamp Liter Lounge, also expected a larger than normal “after work” crowd to gather around the big-screen TV. The Sports Zone, Froggies and other sports fan hangouts such as restaurants and bars with big-screen TVs should have enjoyed big turnouts.

Tulare County has had quite a few big leaguers, but Hill is one of few, if any others, ever to make the All-Star game. Tuesday's game was played after the Voice went to press but I watched closely and rooted for the National League – the long-beloved and losers of the last 12 All-Star games. Of course, I pulled for Aaron to have a great game in a losing effort.

A couple days before Walt, a longtime mortgage broker, left for St. Louis, we chatted a few minutes about how he learned his son had made the All-Star roster. That Aaron was in the running for the cherished selection wasn't unexpected because of his great first half of the season. With a .292 batting average, 60 runs batted in, 20 home runs, 36 extra base hits and on-base percentage of .820 as of the week prior to the All-Star break, the Visalia native had piled up impressive credentials.

Walt said he got a phone call from his son who had been told by Blue Jays officials two to three hours before the official announcement was made by Major League Baseball. “I didn't have any buttons left on my shirt,” said Walt, who follows his son's play every day.

Hill's rise to All-Star status fits right into the “small town boy overcomes obstacles and becomes American hero” script of a feel-good movie or made-for-television production.

It's a heartstring-tugging story which continues to head for a great ending which hopefully won't come for a few more years. A four-year $12 million deal, signed in 2008, with a club option which could run through 2014 and be worth as much as $38 million over seven years, seems to me like a good start for a pretty happy ending which could end up being even happier.

Aaron was 15 when during a soccer trip to Park City, Utah, he and friends were on their way to play golf when his mother, Vicky, following in another car, was killed when a drunk's vehicle smashed into the vehicle she was in.
The tragedy had a lasting effect on the young man who eventually continued on his way to athletic achievement after graduation from Redwood High School. After passing up signing with the Los Angeles Angels who had drafted him, Hill went to Louisiana State University where in 2003, he was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year before signing with the Blue Jays. After making it to the majors, he played some third base and shortstop before moving to second base.

The story was going strong until May 29, 2008 when Hill and shortstop David Eckstein collided chasing a popup sending Eckstein's elbow into Hill's head causing a concussion which kept him off the field for the rest of the year.
Aaron would later be quoted as saying it was very hard to accept team advice to just do nothing and return to his Florida home to reduce his stress of not being able to play.

This season, he said being sent home was the right team decision. With his wife, childhood sweetheart and Redwood tennis star Lizzy Kenfield-Hill, at his side and relaxed, he set his sights on the 2009 season. His return to the Big Leagues has been nothing short of spectacular. Although his team is in fourth place in the American League Eastern Division, there is still hope the Blue Jays can stay in playoff contention.

And, according to a family friend, Aaron and Lizzy are expecting.

Anyway you cut it, pholks, this story continues to be one of those feel good ones which we all can use these days.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com