There have been a handful of interesting characters that have made the PBA an entering league through the years. Some are charismatic like Robert Jaworski, some are funny like Willie Miller, some are likable like Gabe Norwood, and some are villainous like Calvin Abueva.
There was also Rudy Hatfield, who was a cocktail of all of those.
When he entered the PBA in 2000 as a direct hire of the now-defunct Tanduay Rhum Masters, Hatfield quickly made his mark as a hard-nosed guy who had an energy that could outlast a battery factory.
As the years went by, the previously unassuming workhorse from Detroit became more comfortable in the PBA. That's when his strong personality really showed. Who could forget his epic WWE-like interview?
Hatfield's former teammate on the Barangay Ginebra Kings, Rico Maierhofer, shared a memorable story that displayed H-Bomb's volatile conduct.
"Naaalala mo 'yung sa dugout natin, 'yung parang nag-wrestler siya?" asked Maierhofer, who was talking to former Ginebra star Jayjay Helterbrand in a vlog of PBA Motoclub uploaded last Tuesday. "Ito kuwentong Rudy Hatfield, true stroy, nandoon pa ko sa Ginebra. Sabi niya sa coach niya, 'WHAT THE F*** ARE YOU SAYING?'"
Helterbrand agreed that Hatfield "would explode" at times.
Maierhofer, who played for Ginebra from 2011 to 2013, didn't want to name the coach who got screamed at by Hatfield, but Heltebrand divulged that it was Siot Tanquingcen.
Maierhofer said (although he admitted that his memory is hazy), it was because of a fine Tanquingcen wanted to impose on Hatfield for missing a team activity.
"Gumanun 'yung muscles ni Rudy, alam mo 'yung muscles na pang-wrestler talaga?" said Maierhofer, tightening his biceps. "Tapos hinawakan namin siya ni Kerby (Raymundo). Susugurin niya talaga (si Tanquingcen)."
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For context, the two former PBA players were discussing the recent altercation involving NBA stars Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert. They both said Green has a mercurial character, which reminded them of Hatfield, who won three titles, a Finals MVP, and a Best Player of the Conference plum in the PBA before retiring in 2013.
But Maierhofer and Helterbrand also pointed out that having a passionate teammate like H-Bomb is important.
We agree.
Baka i-choke slam pa kami ni Hatfield.