Kevin Tillman

Kevin Tillman

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 190 lb.
• School Arizona State University
• High School Leland High School

• Born January 24, 1978 in San Jose, CA USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

The brother of NFL player Pat Tillman, Kevin Tillman was a 30th-round draft pick of the Houston Astros in the 1996 amateur draft but proceeded on to college. After his junior year of college, he was selected by the Anaheim Angels in the 31st round of the 1999 amateur draft and was one of only two Angel draftees in the first 36 rounds who did not sign.

Kevin signed with the Cleveland Indians for the 2001 season. That year, the second baseman hit .238/.333/.429 with 6 HR (second on the club) for the Burlington Indians. He also played with the Akron Aeros, going 2 for 7.

After the attacks of September 11th, Kevin joined his brother in driving from Phoenix, AZ to Denver, CO to enlist. Not camera-hungry, the brothers turned down a chance to receive an Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Awards.

Pat was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. The military was aware of this but issued an official press release offering a falsely heroic death to Pat. When his family found out, they became vocal critics of the media manipulation by the US military. An Army Ranger who served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, Kevin Tillman harshly criticized the policies of George W. Bush's administration in regards to Iraq. Tillman testified before the US Congress on April 24, 2007, presenting his case that members of the administration had lied about his brother's death to further their political goals.

Sources: 1997, 2000 and 2002 Baseball Almanacs, ESPN story on Kevin Tillman's criticism of the Bush policy on Iraq, The Greatest Story Ever Sold by Frank Rich