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Rex Hudler

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Template:Mlbretired Rex Allen Hudler (nicknamed the "Wonder Dog") (born on September 2, 1960, in Tempe, Arizona) is a former Major League Baseball utilityman. 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 game MLB '06: The Show, along with Dave Campbell and Matt Vasgersian.

He played for 6 different Major League Baseball teams 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.

During his career, he played every position on the field at one point or another, with the exception of 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 "Worm-Eater" moniker in Japan when, in Spring Training with the Swallows, he picked up an enormous earthworm and when dared to eat by his American teammate, Jack Howell, got the Japanese players involved and they paid him to eat the earthworm.

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

Rex Hudler Quotes

  • "Pilot to Bombadier!"
  • "He got to Go!"
  • "He's Gettin Figgy with it"
  • “[Zito pitched well] though he has a chance not to win this game.”
  • ”Mike [Scioscia] likes to turn Benjie loose though so he doesn’t get on base and clog the bases.”
  • "Kingfish Salmon went upstream!"
  • "Another big fly for Big Daddy Vladdy!"
  • "That pitch went where he threw it"
  • "Pick up some dirt and throw out some reindeer!"
  • "That pitch was right in his wheelhouse!"
  • (After pitcher Jarrod Washburn had given up ten runs in four innings): "You gotta give Wash a lot of credit for keeping the bullpen out of it this early."
  • "Muchas gracias, Senor!"
  • (Usually when a team is down 5 or more runs) "Alls we need is a walk, a knock, a bloop, and a blast"
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