Central Illinois has had many major league baseball players in history. Let’s look at them from the 12 counties that we have selected to become Central Illinois. (Logan, McLean, DeWitt, Woodford, Fulton, Peoria, Mason, Tazewell, Cass, Morgan, Menard, Sangamon).

Tim Hulett- Born in Springfield

Timothy Craig Hulett, Sr. (born January 12, 1960) is the head baseball coach at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was the manager for the Minor League Baseball Spokane Indians in the Texas Rangers organization for 10 years and prior to that, he was a professional baseball infielder in the major leagues from 1983-1995. He played for the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and St. Louis Cardinals.

In 1978, he was draft directly from high school where he attended Lanphier in Springfield, Il. He went to South Florida and played for the Bulls and then transferred to Miami Dade College North Campus. In 1980, the White Sox selected him in the secondary phase of the draft. In 1983, he made his major league debut on September 15th. He got his first hit on September 21st as he finished the season playing in six games with five at-bats and one single. He continued with the White Sox for several seasons with 1985 being his best year statistically. In 1986, he played 150 games for the Sox.

In 1988, he was traded to the Expos and was released soon after then he was with the Baltimore Orioles through 1994. In 1995, he signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals and played in 4 games where he was 2-for-11 before he was released. He continued in baseball as an assistant coach for Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, LA and led them to five state titles. He stayed in baseball as a manager in the minor leagues beginning in 2007 and was named Northwest League Manager of the Year in 2010. Recently, he was the manager of the Philippines national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

He is currently the head baseball coach at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, LA where his assistant coaches are Tug Hulett, Joe Hulett, Jeff Hulett.