Bill Hall (utility player) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bill Hall |
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Hall with the Baltimore Orioles in 2012
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| Infielder / Outfielder | |||
| Born: December 28, 1979 Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 1, 2002, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| June 1, 2012, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .248 | ||
| Home runs | 125 | ||
| Runs batted in | 440 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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William Leonard Hall (born December 28, 1979) is an American former professional baseball player. He was known as a "utility player" because he could play many different positions. Bill Hall played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams from 2002 to 2012. These teams included the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, and Baltimore Orioles.
Contents
Early Life
Bill Hall grew up in Nettleton, Mississippi. He went to Nettleton High School there.
Professional Baseball Career
Milwaukee Brewers
Bill Hall started his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers. In the 2005 season, he helped the Brewers have a winning record for the first time in many years. He played third base, shortstop, and second base. He hit .291 with 17 home runs and 62 RBIs (Runs Batted In).
The next year, in 2006, Bill Hall became the Brewers' starting shortstop. This happened after another player, J. J. Hardy, hurt his ankle.
On Mother's Day in 2006, Bill Hall hit a special home run. It was the 10th inning against the New York Mets. His home run won the game for the Brewers. He used a special pink bat for Mother's Day, and his mother was watching. After the game, he said the home run was for her. Later, the bat was sold to raise money for breast cancer research. The Brewers' owner bought the bat and gave it to Bill's mother. It sold for over $25,000!
In November 2006, Bill Hall played in the Japan All-Star Series. He was one of the MLB players chosen to go.
Hall had a great year in 2006. He led the Brewers in many ways, including 35 home runs and 85 RBIs. He was named the team's most valuable player. In 2007, he signed a big contract with the Brewers.
He started the 2007 season playing center field. However, he made many errors in that position.
In 2008, Hall became the Brewers' starting third baseman. He had some tough times hitting, especially against right-handed pitchers. He even said he might want to be traded if he wasn't playing every day. This made some fans boo him, which hurt his confidence. But he worked hard and started hitting much better. He even hit game-winning home runs in back-to-back games!
Later in 2008, his hitting got worse again. In July, the Brewers sent him to their minor league team, the Nashville Sounds. He said he would work on his swing there. He was called back up to the Brewers in August. Soon after, he left the team.
Seattle Mariners
In August 2009, Bill Hall was traded to the Seattle Mariners. He got his first hit and RBI with the Mariners in his very first game.
Boston Red Sox
In 2010, Bill Hall joined the Boston Red Sox. He was happy to be a utility player again, meaning he could play many positions. He even said he could play first base.
The Red Sox had many players get hurt that year. This meant Bill Hall played almost every position! On May 28, 2010, something amazing happened. The Red Sox had no pitchers left, so their manager sent Bill Hall to pitch! He threw an 89 mph fastball and got all three batters out. It was his first time pitching in a major league game. He finished the year with 18 home runs for the Red Sox.
Houston Astros
In 2011, Bill Hall signed with the Houston Astros. He played there for a few months before leaving the team in June.
San Francisco Giants
Hall then signed with the San Francisco Giants in June 2011. While playing second base, he got a bad cut on his leg. He had to go on the disabled list because of the injury.
New York Yankees
In 2012, Bill Hall signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. He went to spring training with them but did not make the main team.
Baltimore Orioles
Hall then signed with the Baltimore Orioles in April 2012. He was called up to the major league team in May. In his very first game with the Orioles, he hit a home run! He played a few more games before leaving the team.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
In 2013, Bill Hall signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He played 21 games in Triple-A before leaving the team in May.
Long Island Ducks
After his time in MLB, Bill Hall played for the Long Island Ducks. This is an independent baseball team. He played with them in 2013 and 2014.
Retirement
On September 5, 2019, Bill Hall officially retired from baseball. He signed a special one-day contract to retire as a Milwaukee Brewer. He said, "I was just a small town country boy with Major League dreams. The Brewers gave me an opportunity to live those dreams."
Personal Life
Bill Hall appeared on the TV soap opera The Young and the Restless with some of his former teammates. He also worked as a baseball analyst for ESPN's Cold Pizza.
Bill Hall has three daughters: Sydni Parker Hall, Maya Parker Hall, and Bella Parker Hall.
Images for kids
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Hall playing for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008
