Rex Hudler

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rex Hudler seen here at left with Puerto Rican born catcher Jose Molina. Anaheim, CA 2005.

Rex Allen Hudler (nicknamed the "Wonder Dog") is a former Major League Baseball infielder-outfielder. He was born on September 2, 1960, in Tempe, Arizona. 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 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. While there, he gained the nickname "Worm Eater" for his habit of snacking on worms in the club's dugout.

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's pro baseball playing career was curtailed after he tried to run 25MPH on a treadmill while with the Phillies and injured himself and was never the same player again.