It Happened Today (April 21): Steven Hill's historic day at the plate
On this date in 2009, Cardinals catcher Steven Hill had what was arguably the best single day at the plate in Springfield history. With the temperature a sweltering 93 degrees at Citibank Ballpark in Midland, Texas, Hill went 5-for-5 with four extra-base hits in a 7-4 Cardinals win over the
On this date in 2009, Cardinals catcher Steven Hill had what was arguably the best single day at the plate in Springfield history.
With the temperature a sweltering 93 degrees at Citibank Ballpark in Midland, Texas, Hill went 5-for-5 with four extra-base hits in a 7-4 Cardinals win over the RockHounds.
Hill doubled in his first at-bat, singled in his second, doubled again in his third and fourth, and capped it off with a home run in his fifth at-bat in the ninth inning.
He became the second Springfield batter all-time to post a five-hit game, and the second to record four extra-base hits in a game. But he became the first ever to do both in the same game. And ten seasons later, that accomplishment still stands alone.
The other three Springfield Cardinals to swing for four extra-base hits in a game were Cody Haerther (7/18/06), Tommy Pham (8/13/10) and Jeremy Hazelbaker (6/5/15).
Hill's record day was part of a month that saw him hit .397 with seven doubles, five home runs, 15 runs and 17 RBIs. Unsurprisingly, he was named Texas League Player of the Week on April 27, 2019. Later that season, he was named a Texas League Mid-Season All-Star.
In 2010, Hill homered against the rival Chicago Cubs in his Major League debut with the Cardinals on August 15. He would appear in nine more games for St. Louis in 2012.
Today, Hill still stands in the Top 10 of all-time Springfield batting leaders in RBIs (185, 2nd), doubles (61, 1st), games (270, 6th), runs (157, T2nd), at-bats (1,055, 3rd), home runs (57, 2nd), hits (299, 3rd), and total bases (539, 1st).