In his first major league contest, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Steven Hill hit a home run, the 11th time it has occurred in team history.
Just a few days ago, Steven Hill was preparing to take on the San Antonio Missions this weekend in Springfield, Missouri. Instead, the 25-year-old catcher found himself 200 miles to the northeast as he was called upon to leap over Triple-A and join the St. Louis Cardinals.
On Sunday, Hill made his first appearance in a major league game. After striking out in the sixth inning, the right-handed hitter launched his first career home run just inside the right field foul pole at Busch Stadium when leading off the ninth inning.
In doing so, Hill became the 11th Cardinals player to homer in his MLB debut and the 35th player to go deep in his first game played as a member of the Cardinals since 1920.
The last player to have done it prior to Sunday was Julio Lugo on July 24, 2009 and the last Cardinal to hit a home run in his first game as a major leaguer was Hector Luna on April 8, 2004.
Here is something to look forward to. With a home run in his second game as well, Hill could join three others – Keith McDonald (2000), Leon Wagner (1960) and Joe Cunningham (1954). Cunningham leads the way with three long balls over his first two games.
No player in team history has homered in his first three games with the club.
St. Louis Cardinals, home run, first game with team, 1920 to present
| Home Run in 1st StL Game | Streak Start | End | G | HR | MLB debut |
| Keith McDonald | 7/4/2000 | 7/6/2000 | 2 | 2 | yes |
| Leon Wagner | 4/12/1960 | 4/13/1960 | 2 | 2 | |
| Joe Cunningham | 6/30/1954 | 7/1/1954 | 2 | 3 | yes |
| Steven Hill | 8/15/2010 | 1 | 1 | yes | |
| Julio Lugo | 7/24/2009 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Mark Worrell | 6/5/2008 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Jose Vizcaino | 8/23/2006 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Preston Wilson | 8/18/2006 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Adam Wainwright | 5/24/2006 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Hector Luna | 4/8/2004 | 1 | 1 | yes | |
| Gene Stechschulte | 4/17/2001 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Chris Richard | 7/17/2000 | 1 | 1 | yes | |
| Craig Paquette | 8/3/1999 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Phil Plantier | 7/13/1997 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Danny Sheaffer | 4/30/1995 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Hector Villanueva | 4/9/1993 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Ray Stephens | 9/20/1990 | 1 | 1 | yes | |
| Skeeter Barnes | 5/7/1987 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Fred Manrique | 9/5/1986 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Cesar Cedeno | 8/30/1985 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Jack Clark | 4/9/1985 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Bill Stein | 9/6/1972 | 1 | 1 | yes | |
| Dick Allen | 4/8/1970 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Vic Davalillo | 6/1/1969 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Joe Hague | 9/20/1968 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Orlando Cepeda | 5/10/1966 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Glen Hobbie | 6/5/1964 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Don Ferrarese | 6/22/1962 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Don Taussig | 4/17/1961 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Bobby Smith | 4/16/1957 | 1 | 1 | yes | |
| Ken Boyer | 4/12/1955 | 1 | 1 | yes | |
| Wally Moon | 4/13/1954 | 1 | 1 | yes | |
| Wally Westlake | 6/16/1951 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Ken O’Dea | 4/14/1942 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Eddie Morgan | 4/14/1936 | 1 | 1 | yes |
Hill is the sixth major leaguer this season and 48th since 2000 to hit a home run in his first game in the bigs. He joined Toronto’s J.P. Arencibia, Boston’s Daniel Nava, Starlin Castro of the Cubs, Luke Hughes of Minnesota and Atlanta’s Jason Heyward to do it in 2010.
Thanks to researcher Tom Orf for the data in the table above.
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