Rich Hill Joins Royals, Continuing Historic MLB Journey

In an era when most Major League Baseball careers last less than six years, Rich Hill has managed to stick around. At 45, Hill isn’t just still pitching in the MLB—he’s making history. The veteran lefty, now set to start for the Kansas City Royals after a call-up from Triple-A Omaha, is entering his 20th MLB season. This appearance ties the record for playing on 14 different major league teams, which says a lot about his adaptability and staying power. Hill’s journey covers two decades, showing that age doesn’t have to mean the end—at least, not if you’re as stubborn and dedicated as he is.

Rich Hill: Oldest Starting Pitcher in Over a Decade

When Hill takes the mound for the Royals at Wrigley Field, he’ll become the oldest starting pitcher in MLB since Jamie Moyer back in 2012. It’s a milestone that speaks to Hill’s fitness, but honestly, it’s his passion for the game that stands out most. Royals manager Matt Quatraro says he trusts Hill’s ability to contribute, especially after his recent run in Triple-A Omaha. There, Hill went 4-4 with a 5.36 ERA over nine starts. Sure, those stats aren’t dazzling, but sometimes experience matters more than numbers on a page.

Returning to Wrigley Field brings Hill’s story full circle in a way. This is where he made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2005. Now, nearly twenty years later, he’s still out there, still pushing boundaries, and still showing younger players what’s possible.

A Career Spanning 14 Teams and a Legacy of Adaptability

Hill’s career across 14 different major league teams is pretty wild. Here’s the list:

• Chicago Cubs
• Baltimore Orioles
• Boston Red Sox (four separate times!)
• Cleveland Indians (now Guardians)
• Los Angeles Angels
• New York Yankees
• Oakland Athletics
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Minnesota Twins
• Tampa Bay Rays
• New York Mets
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• San Diego Padres
• Kansas City Royals

His time with the Dodgers from 2016 to 2019 really stands out. Hill went 30-16 with a 3.16 ERA and racked up 427 strikeouts in the regular season. In the postseason, he posted a 2.70 ERA and showed he could handle the biggest moments.

But Hill’s path wasn’t always smooth. His brief run with the Angels in 2014 lasted just two games and wasn’t exactly a highlight. Still, Hill has always found a way to reinvent himself and surprise people. His knack for locating pitches and his mental toughness have kept him effective well into his 40s.

Defying Expectations at Every Turn

Most pitchers need more than talent to survive in the majors—they need to adapt. Hill’s career is proof of that. The MLB has changed a lot in the last twenty years, but Hill keeps finding ways to stay relevant. He’s leaned on a sharp curveball, tweaked his mechanics after injuries, and never stopped evolving.

It’s rare for players over 40 to earn meaningful roles, especially as starters. Hill now joins a small club of MLB veterans who’ve outlasted the usual clock. His story is a reminder that resilience and adaptability can keep you in the game, even when everyone expects you to hang it up.

A Sign of What’s to Come?

As Hill gears up for yet another start, younger players should really pay attention. His story isn’t just about personal success.

It’s a blueprint for a career built on persistence. Pitchers these days are figuring out that longevity comes from adjusting, both physically and mentally.

Hill keeps finding ways to do both. That says a lot about how athletes can keep evolving.

In a time when everyone’s told to specialize, Hill’s versatility still matters. He’s proof you don’t have to fit into a single mold to stick around.

So, when Hill steps onto the mound in his Royals uniform at Wrigley Field—back where everything started—it’s not just another game. For Rich Hill, it’s another chapter in a career that’s defied the odds and crossed generations.

He’s left a mark on baseball that’s hard to miss.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Rich Hill isn’t finished yet. Former Dodgers and Angels player will pitch for his 14th MLB team