Marc Hill – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Marc Hill played in Major League Baseball for 14 seasons, wrapping up his career after a brief run with the Chicago White Sox in 1986. The catcher from Elsberry, Missouri, made a name for himself as a solid defender, suiting up for four teams and earning respect for his steady glove work.

Hill finished his last season in 1986 with the Chicago White Sox, closing out a career that started in 1973 with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals. People called him “the Booter.” He spent most of his playing days with the San Francisco Giants, holding down the starting catcher job in the late 1970s.

His baseball journey took him from the banks of the Mississippi in Missouri to big league stadiums all over, including stops in St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago.

Let’s take a look at Hill’s path from small-town athlete to big league veteran. He made his mark with each team, both on and off the field. Starting in the Cardinals’ farm system and later moving into coaching, Hill’s story is really about sticking with it and working hard to stay in the game for a long time.

Early Life and Background

Marc Kevin Hill was born on February 18, 1952, in Elsberry, Missouri. Elsberry sits along the Mississippi River, not too far from St. Louis.

Baseball ran in the family. Hill’s dad, Ed Hill, pitched in the St. Louis Browns’ farm system, and his mom shined as a softball pitcher.

Childhood in Missouri

Hill grew up surrounded by sports in Elsberry. His dad, Ed, had pitched in the Browns’ minor league system. His mom was a standout on the softball diamond.

That kind of home environment had a big impact on young Marc. He naturally leaned toward sports and tried his hand at several.

Elsberry, being a small town on the Mississippi, gave Hill a close-knit place to develop his skills. Living northwest of St. Louis, he grew up in Cardinals country. That would matter later, since his hometown team eventually drafted him.

Hill didn’t just play baseball. He was good at basketball too, showing the kind of all-around talent you see in a lot of athletes as kids.

Education at Elsberry HS

Hill went to Elsberry High School and really stood out there. He earned all-Missouri honors in both basketball and baseball, showing he was one of the best in the state.

At 6’3″, Hill had the size that scouts liked. Even though he did well in basketball, he decided to stick with baseball.

He once joked, “6’3″ white guys who can’t jump or run weren’t in demand in basketball.” That pretty much sums up why he focused on baseball instead.

By his senior year in 1970, Hill had caught the eye of pro scouts. He was one of Missouri’s top baseball prospects at that point.

Path to Professional Baseball

Hill graduated from Elsberry High in 1970 and entered the MLB draft. The St. Louis Cardinals—his local team—picked him in the 10th round that year.

Getting drafted by the Cardinals was almost perfect for him. He could stay close to home and start his pro career.

He signed with the Cardinals right after high school. That kicked off his journey in pro baseball, starting out with the rookie-level Gulf Coast Cardinals in 1970.

Jumping from high school to the minors was a big step. Hill played 28 games in his first pro season, getting his feet wet in the system.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Marc Hill spent 14 years in the majors, from 1973 to 1986, always as a catcher. He started with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals, but a trade sent him to San Francisco, where he got his shot as a regular and put up his best numbers.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Hill debuted in the big leagues on September 28, 1973, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. He started behind the plate for manager Red Schoendienst, batting seventh. The Cardinals beat the Phillies 3-0 in front of 10,377 fans, even though Hill went 0-for-3.

He spent most of his early career in the minors. Hill played just one big league game in 1973 and only ten games with the Cardinals in 1974.

That 1974 season, he got his first MLB hit but spent most of the year with Triple-A Tulsa.

Hill showed some promise, but he needed more time to develop. His limited chances with the Cardinals made it obvious he’d need a fresh start to become a regular.

Key Trades and Career Transitions

Hill’s career really changed in the 1974 offseason when the Cardinals traded him to the San Francisco Giants for Ken Rudolph and Elias Sosa. That move gave Hill the break he needed.

With the Giants from 1975 to 1980, Hill found steady playing time. He played in at least 50 games every year and became the main catcher in 1977 and 1978.

His best year was 1977—he hit .250, collected 80 hits, hit nine homers, and drove in 50 runs.

In June 1980, the Giants traded Hill to the Seattle Mariners. He played 29 games with Seattle, then became a free agent and signed with the Chicago White Sox in early 1981.

With Chicago, Hill backed up Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk through 1986.

Retirement in 1986

Hill’s last MLB season was 1986 with the White Sox. He played his final game on May 25, 1986, against the Royals, going hitless in two at-bats. The White Sox let him go after the season.

At 34, Hill decided to retire. He wrapped up his 14-year career with a .223 average, 404 hits, 34 homers, and 198 RBIs over 737 games.

He posted a .990 fielding percentage and threw out 35% of would-be base stealers, which was better than league average at the time.

Hill left the game with a reputation as a defensive specialist. In total, he caught 4,766.1 innings and was respected for his work behind the plate.

Team Tenures and Contributions

Marc Hill’s big league career stretched across four teams, but his biggest impact came during his five years with the San Francisco Giants and his six seasons backing up Carlton Fisk in Chicago.

He went from a local Cardinals prospect to a reliable major league catcher, showing off his defense and leadership everywhere he played.

St. Louis Cardinals Period

Hill started out with the St. Louis Cardinals after they picked him in the 10th round in 1970. He made his MLB debut on September 28, 1973, at Busch Stadium.

He started behind the plate in a 3-0 win over the Phillies, going 0-for-3 but helping the team shut out their opponent.

His time with the Cardinals didn’t last long, but it meant a lot to him. In 1974, he mostly played for the Tulsa Oilers in the minors.

He played in just 10 games for St. Louis that year, but he did get his first big league hit. After that season, the Cardinals traded him to the Giants along with Ken Rudolph and Elias Sosa.

San Francisco Giants Impact

The trade to San Francisco changed things for Hill. The Giants gave him a real chance to play regularly from 1975 to 1980.

Hill played at least 50 games each year with the Giants and was their main catcher in 1977 and 1978.

His top season was 1977, when he hit .250 with 80 hits, nine homers, and 50 RBIs.

Hill also made a big difference on defense. He worked well with the pitching staff and built a reputation as a steady, reliable catcher.

The Giants sent him to Seattle in June 1980, ending his most productive years in the majors.

Seattle Mariners Season

Hill’s stint with the Seattle Mariners was short but important for his career. He played 29 games for them in 1980 after a mid-season trade.

The Mariners let him go after that season, and that opened the door to his last stop in the majors.

Even with limited playing time, Hill brought some veteran presence to a young Mariners team. His experience mattered during their early days as a franchise.

Chicago White Sox Legacy

Hill joined the Chicago White Sox in early 1981, starting the longest stretch of his career. He spent six years with the White Sox from 1981 to 1986.

He mainly backed up Carlton Fisk, a future Hall of Famer. Hill averaged about 44 games a season during those years.

He gave the White Sox valuable depth and mentored younger catchers. His defense and game-calling helped balance out Fisk’s bat.

Hill’s last big league games came in 1986. The White Sox released him after the season, and that’s when he decided to retire.

His time in Chicago capped off a career built on steady defense and leadership.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Marc Hill played 14 years in the majors and finished with a .223 batting average and 404 hits in 737 games. He hit 34 home runs and drove in 198 runs while scoring 146 runs for four different teams.

Batting Average and Hits

Hill had a .223 career batting average from 1973 to 1986. His best season at the plate came in 1977 with the Giants, when he hit .250 and collected 80 hits in 320 at-bats.

The catcher totaled 404 hits in his career, with his best years coming in San Francisco. In 1978, he notched a career-high 87 hits over 117 games.

Hill’s on-base percentage was .295, and his slugging percentage landed at .317, making for a .612 OPS overall. Those numbers show his main value was on defense, but that 1977 season, with a .681 OPS, was his best at the plate.

Runs, Home Runs, and RBIs

Hill scored 146 runs in his career, peaking with 28 in 1977. He didn’t run much, managing just one stolen base in eight tries.

He hit 34 home runs, with most of them coming as a Giant. His top power year was 1977, when he hit nine homers. He wasn’t really a slugger—he averaged about 2.4 homers a season.

Hill drove in 198 runs over 14 years, with his best single season coming in 1977 with 50 RBIs. He put up his most consistent RBI numbers during his time in San Francisco, where he had 139 RBIs in six seasons.

WAR, Total Zone, and Defensive Stats

Hill finished with a career WAR of 2.3. His best year was 1977, with a 1.2 WAR. Most of his value came from defense, not hitting.

He played 737 games, almost all as a catcher. Most of his defensive work happened during his long run with the Giants from 1975 to 1980.

While detailed total zone stats aren’t easy to find, Hill’s long run as a catcher with four teams showed he was reliable behind the plate. He handled pitching staffs well and managed games, which kept him in the big leagues for more than a decade, even though his bat was pretty average.

Playing Style and On-Field Influence

Marc Hill spent 14 years in the majors, leaning on his defensive fundamentals and steady game management skills behind the plate.

Pitchers and teammates genuinely respected him for his skill as a defensive catcher while he played for four different major league teams.

Defensive Skillset

Hill brought real value to every team with his defensive abilities.

He kept up a .990 fielding percentage during his 4,766.1 innings behind the plate.

His caught stealing percentage hit 35%, which was a bit above league average for his era.

That ability put him among the top five catchers for caught stealing percentage in several seasons.

The Giants trusted his defensive consistency and made him their primary starting catcher in 1977 and 1978.

Later, Hill’s knack for working with different pitchers made him a go-to backup with the White Sox.

Key Defensive Stats:

• .990 fielding percentage across 14 seasons
• 35% caught stealing rate (above league average)
• 4,766.1 innings caught in MLB

Leadership as a Catcher

Hill really showed his game management skills when he worked with Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver.

When reporters asked him about the best pitcher he caught, Hill praised Seaver for his intelligence and thoughtful approach.

During his run as the Giants’ main catcher, Hill handled an entire pitching rotation.

He played in at least 50 games each season from 1975 to 1979.

With the White Sox, he backed up Carlton Fisk and brought veteran leadership to the clubhouse.

From 1981 to 1986, Hill averaged 44 games per year, stepping in reliably whenever needed.

Reputation Among Teammates

Teammates called Hill “the Booter” during his career.

Coaches and fellow players noticed his steady defense and professional attitude.

After he retired, teams remembered his reputation for solid defense and offered him coaching jobs.

He joined the Houston Astros’ coaching staff in 1988 and worked with legendary catcher Yogi Berra.

The New York Yankees hired him as a coach in 1991, which says a lot about the respect he earned in the game.

Hill’s shift from player to coach made sense—he brought baseball smarts and leadership everywhere he went.

He adapted to different pitching staffs across four organizations, which really says something about his baseball IQ.

Post-Retirement Endeavors and Legacy

Marc Hill left pro baseball for a quieter life in Missouri, focusing on coaching, outdoor hobbies, and rural living.

His post-baseball years reflected his practical side and his connection to Midwest roots.

Life After Baseball

Right after playing, Hill stayed close to the game by taking on coaching roles.

He joined the Houston Astros coaching staff in 1988, working with Yogi Berra.

That experience gave Hill some great mentorship moments.

He later coached with the 1991 New York Yankees under Buck Showalter.

After his time in the majors, Hill managed minor league teams like the Peninsula Pilots, Jacksonville Suns, Carolina Mudcats, and Lynchburg Hillcats.

When he left organized baseball, Hill returned home to eastern Missouri.

He enjoyed a rural lifestyle—woodworking, fishing, and hunting became part of his daily routine.

Hill also pitched in on a friend’s farm, helping with corn and soybeans.

That work kept him connected to Missouri’s agricultural traditions.

Recognition and Public Perception

People called Hill “the Booter” back when he played. Fans and teammates mostly talked about his defensive skills instead of his bat.

He kept a .990 fielding percentage for his whole career. Hill threw out 35% of attempted base stealers, which was better than most catchers at the time.

He played for four teams over a 14-year career, showing how much teams valued him as a reliable backup catcher.

Hill shared the field with Hall of Famers like Willie McCovey, Tom Seaver, and Carlton Fisk. That must’ve been something, right?

His most unforgettable moment happened in his 1973 debut at Busch Stadium. He caught a 3-0 shutout against Philadelphia, right in front of his hometown crowd.

Career Highlights:

• 687 MLB games caught

• 4,766.1 innings behind the plate

• Backed up Carlton Fisk with the Chicago White Sox

• Started for the San Francisco Giants in 1977 and 1978