R. E. Hillebrand


R. E. Hillebrand was an American baseball player. He played one game in Major League Baseball as a right fielder for the Chicago Orphans on August 29, 1902. He went hitless in four at bats, while scoring one run after walk. The Chicago Inter Ocean described his debut as follows:
Manager Selee was on the mysterious lay today. In right field he had a young man who sailed under the name 'Hillebrand,' but wears a different title at home. The boy was so nervous that he could not stand still, but showed some good traits at the bat. There was nothing by which to gauge his ability as a fielder.

According to Sporting Life correspondent A.R. Cratty, due to injuries to the Orphans, Hillebrand shared time in right field during a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates with Joe Hughes, who also played his only Major League game the following day. W.A Phelon reported that after playing his one Major League game, Hillebrand was told that "while he had done no real hurt he need not stay." Cratty suggested that Hillebrand may have been the brother-in-law of long time Major League infielder Bobby Lowe, who was playing for the Orphans that season.