Looking Back at Some of My Favorite Former Cubs: Glenallen Hill

When I look back at some of the Chicago Cubs rosters during my childhood, I can't help but remember Glenallen Hill. Glenallen Hill played for seven different teams during his 12 year Major League career. He had two stints with the Cubs, one from 1993-1994 and then another from 1998-2000. His best season with the Cubs was in 1999, when he belted 20 home runs and drove in 55 runs in 99 games.

But he will always be remembered for the monstrous home run he hit at Wrigley on May 11, 2000. I vividly recall watching this game and was in complete shock by how quickly the ball jumped off of his bat. On that faithful day, Glenallen Hill became the only player to ever hit a ball onto the rooftops across the street from the left field wall.






It was later revealed that Glenallen Hill was mentioned in the Mitchell Report for allegedly using HGH during the 2000 season. Hill apologized, saying that he is "dedicated to helping others avoid repeating [his] mistakes." I will always fondly remember Glenallen Hill when I think of former Cubs of my childhood.

Other interesting facts about Glenallen Hill:

*He suffers from arachnophobia and fell through a glass table after having a nightmare about spiders (see my strange baseball injuries post)

*He currently serves at the 1st base coach for the Colorado Rockies. He was also the first 1st base coach to wear a helmet out in the field, in honor of Minor League coach Mike Coolbaugh, who was killed by a line drive

*He won a World Series Ring with the Yankees in 2000 after being traded by the Cubs midway through the season

*According to Wikipedia, while Hill was a member of the Cleveland Indians, he committed a “phantom steal” of second. This occurred during a game against the Detroit Tigers which was interrupted by a prolonged disturbance in the outfield. When play resumed, no one noticed that Hill had moved from first to second.

*Glenallen Hill holds the distinction of being the first ever National League player to serve as a DH during a regular season game. On June 12, 1997 he was the Designated Hitter when the Giants played the Rangers

*Hill belted 186 homers in his career, 59 of them while with the Cubs