Big-league veteran Billy Hamilton was recovering from a shoulder injury and playing in the Mexican League when his agent called with a surprising question.
Hamilton’s agent, who had recently heard from the Chicago Cubs, asked the speedy 35-year-old outfielder how his legs were.
“I was like, ‘Give me a few days and I can get my legs back together,’” Hamilton said.
That was all the Cubs needed to hear about Hamilton, who signed a minor-league deal with the organization in August. Hamilton recently joined the Iowa Cubs and is preparing for a possible role in the postseason with Chicago.
“I’m here trying to get ready and prepare for whatever they need me for or whenever they need me,” Hamilton said
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Hamilton believes he still offers the foot speed that has kept him around the game for years. Hamilton, who swiped 59 bases with the Cincinnati Reds in 2017, has played parts of 11 big-league seasons with eight different teams.
Hamilton, 35, had 326 stolen bases in the major leagues and was a game-changing threat when he got on base. Hamilton hasn’t played in the big leagues since a three-game stint with the White Sox in 2023, spending the last two seasons in the Mexican League.
He hoped his time there would catch the attention of a big-league team in the United States. The plan hit a snag after Hamilton suffered a shoulder injury that limited him to just 10 games this season. Hamilton was still in Mexico trying to get his shoulder back in shape so he could play again this winter when the Cubs came calling.
The Cubs were intrigued by his speed even after all these years. Hamilton, who hadn't drawn any interest from MLB teams, was shocked.
“They were very interested in having me come in for the playoffs and be more of a back-end guy, pinch-run and stuff like that,” Hamilton said. “I was like, ‘Yes, I’m willing to do that.' Whatever they need from me.’”
The Cubs signed Hamilton on Aug. 31, making him eligible to join the big-league team’s postseason roster. Since joining Iowa, Hamilton has primarily come off the bench as a pinch-runner.
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He hopes he can get to a point where he can do more. Hamilton planned to get in some swings before Iowa’s game against Toledo on Sept. 16. He was also in the outfield doing some throwing.
“I’m still recovering — still getting myself back together and prepared for whatever they need me for,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton believes he still has enough speed to help a big-league team.
“Fast enough,” Hamilton said with a smile. “Fast enough to do what I’ve got to do. Fast enough to get the job done.”
While returning to the big leagues once seemed far-fetched in Mexico, Hamilton is now on the verge of getting back. But that’s always been the plan for Hamilton, who plans to keep going for as long as it takes for him to reach another milestone.
“My goal is to go until I can’t go anymore,” Hamilton said. “So that’s why (I was) in Mexico to try to get myself back here to get a couple more years to get 10 years in the major leagues. That’s been my goal. I’m going to play as long as I can until I reach my goal.
“I’m just looking forward to what’s coming next in the next couple of weeks.”
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at [email protected] or 515-284-8468.