Billy Hatcher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Billy Hatcher |
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Hatcher with the Cincinnati Reds
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: October 4, 1960 Williams, Arizona, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 10, 1984, for the Chicago Cubs | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| May 9, 1995, for the Texas Rangers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .264 | ||
| Home runs | 54 | ||
| Runs batted in | 399 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As coach
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Billy Hatcher (born October 4, 1960) is a former American professional baseball player. He was an outfielder and later became a first base coach. Billy played for several teams, including the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Billy Hatcher grew up in Williams, Arizona. He graduated from Williams High School in 1979. While in high school, he was a talented pitcher. One time, he pitched an amazing 11-inning game where no one on the other team got a hit! After high school, Billy played baseball at Yavapai Community College in Prescott, Arizona. He was chosen as an All-America player there, which means he was one of the best college players in the country.
Playing in the Major Leagues
Billy Hatcher had a long and exciting career in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was known for his speed and hitting.
Starting with the Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs picked Billy in the 1981 MLB draft. He quickly moved up through their minor league teams. He played one season at each level. In 1984, he got to play for the Cubs in the major leagues. He played for the Cubs for two seasons.
Time with the Houston Astros
Billy became the starting left fielder for the Houston Astros in 1986. He is famous among Astros fans for hitting a dramatic home run. This happened in the 14th inning of a big playoff game in 1986. His home run temporarily saved the Astros from losing.
In 1987, Billy had his best season. He started the year with a 16-game hitting streak. He led the Astros in hitting with a .296 batting average. He also had a career-high 53 stolen bases. He hit 11 home runs and had 63 runs batted in. During this season, he was suspended for using a bat that had been changed. Billy explained that he had borrowed the bat from another player. He said he didn't know it was changed and maintained his innocence.
Moving to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds
Near the end of the 1989 season, Billy was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played only 27 games for them. Soon after, he was traded again, this time to the Cincinnati Reds.
Billy had an unforgettable season with the Reds in 1990. He stole 30 bases, helping his team win their division. On August 21, 1990, he tied a major league record. He hit four doubles in one game against the Cubs. He also had a great fielding percentage that year.
1990 World Series Hero
Billy Hatcher's best hitting performance happened during the 1990 World Series. The Reds played against the Oakland Athletics, who were expected to win easily. Billy hit incredibly well, with a .519 batting average overall in the playoffs. In the World Series, he hit an amazing .750! This broke a 62-year-old World Series record. He also set records for most consecutive hits in a series (7) and most doubles in a four-game series (4). Even though he hit so well, the Most Valuable Player award went to Reds pitcher José Rijo. Billy was later given the 1990 Babe Ruth Award for his outstanding play.
Finishing His Playing Career
In 1992, Billy was traded to the Boston Red Sox. While with the Red Sox, he stole home plate in a game on August 3, 1992. He played center field for the Red Sox in 1993. He finished his playing career as a reserve player for the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers. Billy retired after the 1995 season. He played 12 seasons in the major leagues. He finished with a .264 career batting average. He hit 54 home runs and had 399 runs batted in over 1,233 games.
Coaching Career
After his playing days, Billy Hatcher became a successful baseball coach. He spent ten seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He worked as a minor-league instructor and coach. From 1998 to 2005, he was part of the Rays' Major League coaching staff. He was a first-base coach, bench coach, and third-base coach. He is the only coach to work for the Rays during their first eight years.
In 2006, Billy joined the Cincinnati Reds as a Major League coach. He worked as a third-base, outfield, and baserunning coach. He stayed with the Reds until 2018. In 2020, he became the first base coach for the Miami Marlins. He held that position until 2021. As of 2025, he is an assistant coach for the Madeira Mustangs, a high school football team in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Personal Life
Billy Hatcher is married to Karen. They have a son named Derek and a daughter named Chelsea. Derek played football at the University of Richmond. His team won the 2008 NCAA FCS National Championship. Chelsea played soccer at the University of Tennessee from 2008 to 2011. She was a very good player, selected to the All-SEC first team in 2010. She is now an attorney.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
