09-20-2017, 01:18 PM
I learned last night that former standout Rice infielder Dave Hilton died unexpectedly on Sunday, two days after his 67th birthday.
Dave was the first person taken in MLB's 1971 January-Regular Draft ... by the San Diego Padres.
He played for the Padres 1972-75 and in Japan 1978-80. Starting in 1984, managed, coached, and worked as a roving hitting and infield instructor for the Braves, Giants, Phillies, Athletics, Brewers and in Taiwan. He was the Brewers' first-base coach for two seasons (1987-8). He settled down in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he operated the Arizona School of Baseball.
From an announcement on his Facebook account:
Here's a link to an excellent article about his life: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/b53e9705
Article in AZcentral.com: http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/hi...679369001/
Article in AZDiamondReport.org: http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/hi...679369001/
Here is the story linked to the July 1, 2010, Rice Update Trivia Question (submitted by Steven Herce), which begins with how a Hilton double in Japan inspired Haruki Murakami to become one of the most famous, most controversial and biggest-selling authors in Japan: http://articles.latimes.com/1991-12-08/m...i-murakami
Photo of one of his baseball cards:
![[Image: Hilton_Dave.jpg]](https://sabr.org/sites/default/files/images/Hilton_Dave.jpg)
An article about Dave's Japanese League experiences on a Japanese Baseball Card website: http://japanesebaseballcards.blogspot.co...ilton.html
Photo of one of his Japanese baseball cards:
![[Image: 09%2BBBM%2BYakult%2B40th%2BHilton.jpeg]](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3WzI28R0_s/WcGZhE1bFWI/AAAAAAAARYs/6Wvs7YsJoLc8_UOhNGZO2DF7Iq1U1LNtwCEwYBhgL/s400/09%2BBBM%2BYakult%2B40th%2BHilton.jpeg)
(Note that there is some date confusion in the articles and websites linked above.
Dave is not listed in the alumni directory, but I believe he arrived at Rice in Fall 1968, which would put him in the class of 1972. He was in the first Baker College freshman orientation group that I mentored (as a junior), and the Rice Baseball Fact Book said he earned letters in 1969-70 -- his only years at Rice. The SABR article implied that he left after his freshman year, but I think it's wrong. This article in a 1970 Salina, Kansas, newspaper mentions his hitting prowess for the Liberal, Kansas, team that summer ... not the summer after his freshman year (which would have been 1969). This would imply that he left Rice after his sophomore year, which is consistent with my often-unreliable memory. I welcome any corrections/corroborations.)
BTW, there is NO mention of Dave in the Thresher (as least by my searches; not all issues are indexed. I'll browse through some tomorrow to see if I can find anything) or in any riceowls.com websites (aside from the Rice baseball factbook).
Such sad news that he died so young!
Dave was the first person taken in MLB's 1971 January-Regular Draft ... by the San Diego Padres.
He played for the Padres 1972-75 and in Japan 1978-80. Starting in 1984, managed, coached, and worked as a roving hitting and infield instructor for the Braves, Giants, Phillies, Athletics, Brewers and in Taiwan. He was the Brewers' first-base coach for two seasons (1987-8). He settled down in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he operated the Arizona School of Baseball.
From an announcement on his Facebook account:
Quote:If you would like to share any additional memories, stories, thoughts, or condolences with the family, we would love to collect them at davehiltontribute@gmail.com. We appreciate all the love and care outpoured on behalf of our family more than we could ever express.
We will celebrate the life and impact of Dave Hilton together on the morning of Saturday, October 14th (specific time to come, which will be followed by a casual lunch) at Cornerstone Church located at 1595 S. Alma School Rd. in Chandler, AZ. All are welcome, including those who may not have known Dave but would like to be there to support his family. Dress will be casual and to honor Dave and the game he loved, feel free to wear your favorite baseball attire!
Many have offered to support us in any way that they can. For those who would like a practical way to provide care, a GoFundMe account has been set up to help cover Memorial costs for Dave's family: http://www.gofundme.com/davehilton
Here's a link to an excellent article about his life: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/b53e9705
Article in AZcentral.com: http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/hi...679369001/
Article in AZDiamondReport.org: http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/hi...679369001/
Here is the story linked to the July 1, 2010, Rice Update Trivia Question (submitted by Steven Herce), which begins with how a Hilton double in Japan inspired Haruki Murakami to become one of the most famous, most controversial and biggest-selling authors in Japan: http://articles.latimes.com/1991-12-08/m...i-murakami
Photo of one of his baseball cards:
An article about Dave's Japanese League experiences on a Japanese Baseball Card website: http://japanesebaseballcards.blogspot.co...ilton.html
Photo of one of his Japanese baseball cards:
(Note that there is some date confusion in the articles and websites linked above.
Dave is not listed in the alumni directory, but I believe he arrived at Rice in Fall 1968, which would put him in the class of 1972. He was in the first Baker College freshman orientation group that I mentored (as a junior), and the Rice Baseball Fact Book said he earned letters in 1969-70 -- his only years at Rice. The SABR article implied that he left after his freshman year, but I think it's wrong. This article in a 1970 Salina, Kansas, newspaper mentions his hitting prowess for the Liberal, Kansas, team that summer ... not the summer after his freshman year (which would have been 1969). This would imply that he left Rice after his sophomore year, which is consistent with my often-unreliable memory. I welcome any corrections/corroborations.)
BTW, there is NO mention of Dave in the Thresher (as least by my searches; not all issues are indexed. I'll browse through some tomorrow to see if I can find anything) or in any riceowls.com websites (aside from the Rice baseball factbook).
Such sad news that he died so young!