Former NY Mets Pitcher Joins Hofstra's Baseball Staff

Jeremy Hill may be a Texan by birth, but he's a now a Dix Hillian. He and his wife, Jennifer, moved to Dix Hills in May of 2008, when Hill was considering retiring from professional baseball.  The couple choose to settle in the hamlet because they liked the neighborhood and the schools. "I knew it would be a good investment for my family," said Hill, the father of a one-year old girl.

Originally drafted as a catcher by the Kansas City Royals in 1996, Hill moved out from behind the plate and would eventually toe the rubber as a pitcher. "I didn't hit well enough to stay in the game," he said. "And I didn't want to be out of a job, so I became a pitcher."

He was called up to the big leagues by the Royals in 2002 and was 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 10 appearances. He made one appearance for the Royals in 2003 before being traded to the New York Mets for reliever Graeme Lloyd.

"The Mets were trying to rebuild then and the Royals thought they could make the playoffs so they traded me for a veteran reliever," Hill said. He went to major league spring training with the Mets in 2004 and 2006 and met manager Art Howe (2004) and manager Willie Randolph (2006).

He was able to watch players like ace reliever John Franco play the game. "I knew to keep my mouth closed and just watch and observe. I learned to be prepared each and every day. It was a good experience. I had hopes of helping the big league team."

While his shot at becoming a regular on a major league roster did not pan out, Hill remains in the game he loves thanks in large part to a former teammate he met while with the Royals in 2002. After moving to Dix Hills, Hill reached out to Patrick Anderson, head baseball coach at Hofstra University. Anderson offered him a job as a volunteer assistant coach for the Division I baseball team and Hill quickly accepted.

"Jeremy's experience and his knowledge of the game will have a big impact on our program," said Anderson. "He is a welcome addition to our staff."

Hofstra's first game is February 18 against Florida Atlantic University, in the Sunshine State. The team also will have games against Florida State and the University of Miami.

"Those will be pretty good challenges," Hill said. Their last scheduled game is May 22, and then "hopefully we will make the playoffs."

Hill worked with the team during fall practices that ran through October, and will rejoin the squad after winter break toward the end of January.

"I didn't know what to expect when I first watched them," Hill said. "I was unfamiliar with the college game. I was surprised at their athletic ability. We have a lot of really good, high-caliber players this year," he said. "And I'm a Jack of all trades. I was a catcher and a pitcher, so I feel I'm a well-rounded player. I want to help them anyway I can."