Hiller grew up in Scarborough, Ontario (now part of Toronto) where he played sandlot baseball before signing with the Tigers in 1962. After three seasons in the minor leagues, he joined the Tigers in 1965. He appeared in 39 games and compiled a 2.39 earned run average (ERA) for the 1968 Detroit Tigers team that won the 1968 World Series. He also set a major league record with six consecutive strikeouts in 1968.\n', '

In January 1971, Hiller suffered a heart attack at his home in Duluth, Minnesota, and underwent surgery to remove several feet of his intestines to control his body\'s absorption of cholesterol. After losing 50 pounds and missing the 1971 season, Hiller returned to the Tigers\' active roster in July 1972. He compiled a 2.03 ERA in 1972, helped lead the team to the American League East title, and won Game 4 of the 1972 American League Championship Series. His comeback peaked in 1973 as he broke the major league record with 38 saves and compiled a 1.44 ERA in 65 games. He was selected as the 1973 American League Comeback Player of the Year and Fireman of the Year, finished fourth in the voting for the American League Cy Young Award, and received the American Heart Association\'s Heart of the Year Award.\n', '

In 1974, Hiller\'s comeback continued as he set an American League record with 17 relief wins and was selected as a member of the American League All-Star team. He continued to rank among the American League\'s elite relief pitchers through the 1978 season. By 1979, injuries and age rendered Hiller less effective, and he retired as a player in May 1980 with a career record of 87–76, a 2.83 career ERA, and 1,036 strikeouts. At the time of his retirement, he ranked fourth in American League history with 125 saves. He continues to hold the Tigers\' club record with 545 career games pitched.\n', '

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