Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
When players retire, there’s often a reflective sendoff, an opportunity to reminisce about the career that was. When a player who has done something truly unique steps away, it takes on a different meaning altogether. Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Rich Hill isn’t headed to the Hall of Fame, but his career may never be replicated.
It has been several years since Hill last pitched for the Twins during the truncated 2020 season, yet the franchise remains a meaningful part of his story. Now 45 years old, it’s time to look back at a pitcher whose journey feels as much myth as legend.
Minnesota Twins Pitcher Rich Hill Ready to Hang Up His Cleats
When Rich Hill signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2020, he was already 39 years old and had pitched for eight different organizations. He made eight starts during the COVID-shortened season and, remarkably, went on to pitch five more seasons afterward. Hill now appears ready to turn the page, hinting at as much during a recent episode of the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast.
“I’m looking for open possibilities to stay in the game of baseball and be a contributory factor. I enjoy the work aspect of whatever it might be that’s next. I think that’s one thing that… why athletes get hired in other positions and other… outside of sports is because they are highly-driven people that want to succeed. And that’s something that I’m looking forward to.”
Rich Hill – Baseball Isn’t Boring
It’s not surprising that a player who spent 21 seasons in the major leagues would hesitate to use the word “retired.” Hill has been involved in professional baseball for nearly half his life. The Chicago Cubs selected him in the fourth round of the 2002 MLB Draft, his third time being drafted, and the left-hander went on to carve out an extraordinary career.
Over those 21 seasons, Hill pitched in virtually every imaginable role. He logged 1,418 innings across 388 appearances, compiling a 4.02 ERA (4.10 FIP) with an impressive 9.1 K/9. Despite averaging just 89.2 mph on his fastball, it was his devastating curveball, thrown roughly 38% of the time, that consistently kept hitters off balance.
In recent years, Hill often waited for opportunities once the season was already underway. Last year, he pitched nine innings for the Kansas City Royals, bringing his total to 14 teams that paid him at the major league level. His two-decade career will go down as one of the most unusual and fascinating in baseball history.
There’s little reason to believe Hill won’t remain connected to the sport in some capacity. It’s clear he’s a lifer who deeply loves the game and everything it has given him.
And when you’ve been around this long, there’s always the possibility Hill pulls a Brett Favre and returns to the mound one more time. Even if he doesn’t, the nearly $80 million he earned over his career is hardly something he’ll be shaking a finger at.
Mentioned in this article: Rich Hill
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