rex hudler

Utility player Born: September 2, 1960 (1960-09-02) (age 48)

Tempe, Arizona Batted: Right Threw: Right MLB debut September 9, 1984 for the New York Yankees Last MLB appearance June 23, 1998 for the Philadelphia Phillies Career statistics Batting average .261 Home runs 56 Hits 461 Teams New York Yankees (1984-1985) Baltimore Orioles (1986) Montreal Expos (1988-1990) St. Louis Cardinals (1990-1992) Yakult Swallows {1993) (NPB) California Angels (1994-1996) Philadelphia Phillies (1997-1998)

Rex Allen Hudler (born September 2, 1960 in Tempe, Arizona), nicknamed the "Wonder Dog", is a former Major League Baseball utility player. He played a total of thirteen seasons after being a first round draft pick of the New York Yankees in 1978. He is currently the color commentator for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim broadcasting team alongside play-by-play announcer Steve Physioc. He is also the color commentator for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable games MLB 06: The Show, 07, 08 and 09 for the PlayStation 3 along with Dave Campbell and Matt Vasgersian.

He played for 6 different Major League Baseball teams and at every position except pitcher throughout his career: the New York Yankees (1984-1985), Baltimore Orioles (1986), Montreal Expos (1988-1990), St. Louis Cardinals (1990-1992), California Angels (1994-1996), and Philadelphia Phillies (1997-1998). He also played for the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese Central League in 1993. Hudler saw playing time in the minor leagues with the Rochester Red Wings of the Triple-A International League in 1986 and 1987. Hudler then saw playing time with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians of the America Association in 1988 as the starting third baseman. During his playing career in Japan, he contributed to the team's back-to-back league championship and its second-ever Japan Series championship since its first title in 1978.

Mostly a second baseman, he also played every position except catcher and pitcher.

Hudler was hospitalized in 2001 with a brain aneurysm. He was suspended briefly from his broadcast job in 2003 after being arrested at Kansas City International Airport for possession of cannabis and medical paraphernalia. He currently lives in Tustin, California.

He is also the president of the non-profit organization Team Up For Down Syndrome, which raises money for public awareness, housing, education, job training, family counseling and health care for those living with Down Syndrome. Hudler and his wife Jennifer have a 10-year old son who was born with the affliction.

Rex actually earned his "Bug-Eater" moniker in St. Louis during a game when he picked up an enormous junebug off his hat and when dared to eat it by his Cardinal teammate, Tom Pagnozzi, got the players the the dugout involved and they paid him $800 to eat the junebug.

Prior to signing with the Yankees, Hudler was visited by Notre Dame who hoped he would suit up for their football team.

Rex Hudler quotes