Rickey Hill

About

Baseball phenomenon whose life story was adapted into the 2023 film The Hill, which reached #1 on Netflix after its release. After being signed by the Montreal Expos in 1975, he played four seasons across several teams in the minor leagues. During that time, he led the Grays Harbor Loggers in home runs throughout their 1978 Northwest League championship season. After being forced to retire in 1979 due to spinal failure, he played multiple seasons post-career in Mexico, Venezuela, and Italy before transitioning to coach youth baseball, and working as a financial planner and golf instructor in Fort Worth, TX.

Before Fame

He was born with a degenerative spinal condition and was forced to endure extensive surgeries and wear leg braces throughout the first several years of his life. Doctors told his family that he would never walk normally; however, at the age of 8, he removed his leg braces and began practicing baseball skills endlessly, even using rocks as makeshift baseballs.  

Trivia

He has also played golf at PGA levels, alongside celebrated partners such as Tony Romo. He is an advocate for the charitable foundation Kids Matter Eagles International, and he has been involved with youth programs through his foundation, The Hill, as well as charity events like the Kids Matter Eagles Challenge. 

Family Life

He was born to parents James and Hellen Hill and had two siblings named Robert and Connie. He married his childhood sweetheart, Sherran, and they welcomed two children before divorcing in 1986.

Associated With

His life story was adapted into the 2023 film The Hill, which starred Colin Ford and Dennis Quaid. After its release, the film went on to reach #1 on Netflix. He also served as executive producer for the film.