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45-Year-Old Rich Hill’s Dominant Return Ignites Royals’ Pitching Hopes

MLB access_alarms2025-05-22 12:49:26 visibility10 text_decrease title text_increase

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Table of Contents

A Veteran's Masterclass in Resilience

In a stunning display of longevity, 45-year-old left-hander Rich Hill made Kansas City Royals history during his organizational debut on Tuesday. Facing the Cubs' complex league team, the seasoned pitcher retired all 12 batters while recording seven strikeouts - a performance made more remarkable by the fact that none of his opponents were born when he was first drafted in 2002.

The Comeback Trail

Hill's journey back to professional baseball defies conventional wisdom. After spending part of 2024 coaching his son's Little League team and making brief appearances with the Red Sox, the veteran inked a minor league deal with Kansas City in May 2025. His motivation remains crystal clear: "I love the competition. If I didn't, I wouldn't be doing this," Hill told reporters earlier this season.

45-Year-Old Rich Hill's Dominant Return Ignites Royals' Pitching Hopes

By the Numbers

• Career 4.01 ERA over 20 MLB seasons
• 1,428 career strikeouts
• Potential to tie Edwin Jackson's record of 14 MLB teams

Strategic Value for Royals

Kansas City's decision to sign Hill goes beyond nostalgia. With multiple pitchers injured, the Royals need reliable arms capable of both starting and relieving. Hill's 57-pitch showcase - featuring his trademark curveball and precise location - demonstrated he still possesses big-league caliber stuff. "He's like fine wine," observed a Royals scout. "The older he gets, the craftier he becomes."

From Baseball Nomad to Mentor

Hill's career renaissance began in 2016 with the Dodgers, where he posted a 2.12 ERA through 11 starts. His journey includes near-perfect games and historic postseason appearances with multiple franchises. Now, as the oldest active professional pitcher, Hill brings invaluable experience to Kansas City's young roster while chasing his first World Series ring.

What's Next?

The lefty is expected to join Triple-A Omaha for tougher competition. Continued success could earn him a June call-up, potentially writing the final chapter of a career that's already redefined aging in professional sports. As Hill himself declared after Tuesday's game: "Age is just a number. The game hasn't changed - I've just learned to play it smarter."