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Former Twins Veteran Pitcher Ends Insane Career
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- Former Twins Veteran Pitcher Ends Insane Career
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
When players retire there is often a level of sendoff that generates reminiscing about a career that was . When players that do something special retire, it takes on a whole new meaning. Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Rich Hill isn't entering the Hall of Fame, but his tenure may never be replicated.
It has been years since Hill pitched for the Twins in the truncated 2020 season. The franchise is still part of his decorated history. Now 45 years old, it's time to look back on a man who could be more myth than legend.
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Minnesota Twins pitcher Rich Hill ready to hang up his cleats
Before Rich Hill signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2020, he was 39 years old and had pitched for eight different teams . He turned in eight starts during the Covid-riddled season. Following that campaign, he worked five more seasons. Hill is now ready to turn the page and said as much on a recent episode of the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast.
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"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."
It's not surprising that a guy who played 21 years in the big leagues would want to avoid using the word "retired." Hill has been involved with professional baseball for nearly half of his life , The Chicago Cubs selected him in the 4th round of the 2002 draft. It was the third time he had been drafted. The southpaw put together an incredible career.
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Across those 21 seasons, Hill pitched in all sorts of scenarios. He compiled 1,418 innings and was involved in 388 games. His 4.02 ERA (4.10 FIP) was backed by a 9.1 K/9. Despite averaging just 89.2 mph on his fastball , it was always the devastating curve (38% usage) that kept batters off balance.
In recent seasons Hill has sought opportunity to latch on once action gets underway. Last season he pitched nine innings for the Kansas City Royals . 14 teams have written him a paycheck. The two-decade career will go down as one of the most interesting in the history of the sport.
There's no reason to believe that Hill won't find an opportunity to remain connected with the spot. It's beyond clear he's a lifer that loves everything the game has given him.
When you're in it this long, there's always a possibility Hill goes Brett Favre and is back on the mound at some point. Even if he doesn't, the nearly $80 million he earned will hardly be something he decides to shake a finger at.
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