May 19, 2024, 08:03 pm Eastern Time
ARLINGTON, Texas — Kevin Pillar stuffed a souvenir ball for his 1,000th career hit in his bag, which meant even more to him than simply putting the Los Angeles Angels ahead to hold on to a series-clinching victory over the reigning World Series champions.
Although Pillar is a California native, his parents just retired to Texas last December and were at the stadium for Sunday’s game, even when their son didn’t start against the Rangers.
“Baseball is poetic in the sense that I’m here in Texas, my family lives here, my parents are here,” Pillar said after his two-run pinch-hit single in the seventh inning of a 4-1 victory. “I told them I wasn’t in the starting lineup. They still wanted to be here for me to have a chance, and to get to that situation with them here means a lot to me.”
Pillar, 35, has only been with the young Los Angeles team for about three weeks. It is the ninth major league team in 12 seasons for the outfielder, who signed on April 30, the same day the Angels placed three-time American League MVP Mike Trout on the injured list due to a meniscus tear in his left knee that required surgery.
#1000 hits in the MLB. Grateful, humbled, excited and incredibly proud of this achievement. pic.twitter.com/VcvSK30WbR
— Kevin Pilar (@KPILLAR4) May 19, 2024
Pillar’s wife and children returned to their home in Arizona on Sunday, but he had already shared a moment on the phone with them.
“They’re pretty excited right now,” he said. “It’s great to hear your kids say they’re proud.”
Pillar is hitting .447 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in 12 games for the Angels. He began this season with the Chicago White Sox, who released him and re-signed him during spring training, then designated him for assignment after he hit .160 with a home run and four RBIs in 17 games.
“He just brings veteran leadership and a grinder mentality, and a lot of wisdom and things that the young guys can learn from,” Angels center fielder Mickey Moniak said.
Featured
2 Related
Los Angeles had just tied the game at 1 and the bases were loaded when Pillar pinch-hit for No. 9 hitter Kyren Paris. Pilar singled to center field and then scored on a triple by Luis Rengifo.
“He’s a professional, he’s always ready,” said first-year Angels manager Ron Washington. “He did what he’s been doing for us all year: get ahead. He got ahead and he’s great. I’m very happy to have him on this team.”
It was Pillar’s 21st hit this season and his 17th with the Angels.
“I keep coming back year after year. There were things I personally wanted to accomplish,” Pillar said. “Getting 10 years of service was one of them. I knew I was a couple stolen bases away from 100. I knew I was 20-something hits away from 1,000… You know, being sent home, being released.” , picked up by a new team and being able to do it so quickly and they just believed in me, giving me opportunities to go out and play and show that I can still play this sport at a high level.”
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow @Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.