Hillenbrand hopes to be big hit with 51s, Dodgers

He has dealt with his share of controversy in his baseball career but, through it all, two-time All-Star third baseman Shea Hillenbrand always has been able to hit.

The 32-year-old corner infielder, who signed with the slumping Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, has a .285 batting average and 107 home runs in parts of seven seasons with the Boston Red Sox (2001-03), Arizona Diamondbacks (2003-04), Toronto Blue Jays (2005-06), San Francisco Giants (2006) and Los Angeles Angels (2007).

Hillenbrand, who was assigned to Las Vegas, is 5-for-8 with two RBIs in his first two games with the 51s, but manager Lorenzo Bundy doesn't expect him to be here long.

"With the way (the Dodgers are) struggling offensively, you would think a guy with Shea's credentials and experience would be someone they're very serious about getting back to the big leagues as soon as possible, especially if he gets off to a good start down here," Bundy said.

Hillenbrand, who has played in at least 134 games in the majors in each of the past six years, signed a one-year, $6.5 million dollar contract with the Angels before this season but was designated for assignment on June 29 after batting .254 with three homers and 22 RBIs in 53 games.

He signed with the San Diego Padres on July 27, his 32nd birthday, but opted out of his contract after hitting .148 (5-for-34) in nine games with the Portland Beavers.

Despite his struggles at the plate this year, Hillenbrand remains confident in his ability.

"Hitting has never been an issue with me," he said. "All I'm focusing on right now is the Dodgers and getting myself ready to help them win -- if I get there. I go out there every day and play hard, but whatever happens after that is out of my control."

Hillenbrand attended high school and junior college in Mesa, Ariz., and resides in Gilbert, Ariz., with his wife and their three adopted children -- ages 2, 1 and 10 months -- but he spent the first 14 years of his life in Los Angeles, where he grew up a "die-hard Dodgers fan."

"This is one of my dreams come true, to have this opportunity, and hopefully this opportunity comes true," Hillenbrand said.

A 10th-round draft pick of the Red Sox in 1996, Hillenbrand made disparaging comments about Boston general manager Theo Epstein before and after he was traded to Arizona in 2003. He hit a career-high .310 for the Diamondbacks in 2004 but was dealt to the Blue Jays after the season.

He put up solid numbers for Toronto in 2005 (.291, 18 homers, 82 RBIs) and the first half of '06 (.301, 12, 39) before getting designated for assignment. He was traded to the Giants after an argument with Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, who had challenged Hillenbrand to a fight after the infielder reportedly wrote "play for yourself" and "this is a sinking ship" on a clubhouse billboard.

Despite joining his fifth organization in a little more than a year, Hillenbrand, who hit .248 in 60 games with the Giants last season, said the stretch has "been awesome."

"I got a pay increase this last year, and I'm making a lot of money getting the opportunity to play and live out my dreams," he said. "All I want to do is win. I'm an intense competitor, and I'll do anything I can to help my ballclub win. I've never had any problems with anybody in my career."

Bundy said Hillenbrand's intense nature might be misunderstood at times.

"He's a fierce competitor," Bundy said. "He goes out and competes every day, and some people may take that the wrong way, I don't know. My experience with him is he wanted to win and do well, and I can't fault him for those qualities."

• NOTE -- Pitcher D.J. Houlton was optioned from the Dodgers to the 51s, and third baseman Andy LaRoche was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to Thursday.