Koyie Hill is a former American professional baseball player who played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. Hill was born on March 9, 1979, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and attended Wichita State University, where he played college baseball for the Wichita State Shockers.
Hill began his professional baseball career in 2000 when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the MLB draft. He spent several years in the Dodgers' minor league system before making his MLB debut with the team in 2003. Hill played in only two games for the Dodgers that year before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Hill played for the Diamondbacks from 2004 to 2005, appearing in 51 games over two seasons. He then played for the Chicago Cubs from 2007 to 2011, where he had his most productive years as a player. In 2008, Hill played in a career-high 83 games for the Cubs, hitting .255 with 5 home runs and 29 runs batted in (RBIs). He also played in the postseason that year, helping the Cubs reach the National League Division Series.
After leaving the Cubs, Hill played for several other teams, including the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins, and Kansas City Royals. He played in a total of 10 MLB seasons, appearing in 480 games and hitting .207 with 18 home runs and 99 RBIs.
Hill was known for his defensive skills as a catcher, particularly his ability to handle pitchers and call games. He was also a respected clubhouse leader and mentor to younger players. Hill retired from professional baseball in 2015 and has since worked as a coach and instructor.
In addition to his professional career, Hill also played for the United States national baseball team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He helped the team reach the semifinals of the tournament, where they lost to Japan.
Overall, Koyie Hill had a solid career as a catcher in MLB, playing for several teams over a span of more than a decade. While he was never a star player, he was respected for his defensive skills and leadership qualities, and he made valuable contributions to the teams he played for.
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