Royals Promote 45-Year-Old Pitcher Rich Hill for Cubs Matchup

In a sport where youth and velocity usually grab the spotlight, the Kansas City Royals are flipping expectations. They’re calling up 45-year-old veteran pitcher Rich Hill for a start against the Chicago Cubs.

This move makes Hill the oldest player in Royals history. He’s also MLB’s oldest active player and the most senior starting pitcher since Jamie Moyer wrapped up his career in 2012.

Hill’s return to the mound is a wild new chapter in a career that’s lasted over two decades. Fourteen different teams, countless comebacks, and an almost stubborn refusal to hang up his glove—he just keeps finding ways to pitch.

Rich Hill’s Storied Baseball Career

Rich Hill’s path through Major League Baseball? Honestly, it’s pretty wild. The Chicago Cubs drafted him back in 2002, and he made his MLB debut in 2005 at age 25.

Now, nearly twenty years later, he’s facing the team that first gave him a shot. Hill’s always leaned into change, tweaking his craft to stretch out a career that’s seen him wear the uniforms of 14 different teams.

That’s a record only Edwin Jackson matches in MLB’s long, winding history. It’s not something you see every day.

A Journey Through 14 Teams

Hill’s pitched for an almost unbelievable list of teams, including:

• Chicago Cubs (his debut team)
• Baltimore Orioles
• Boston Red Sox (multiple stints)
• Los Angeles Angels
• New York Yankees
• Oakland Athletics
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Minnesota Twins
• Tampa Bay Rays
• New York Mets
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• San Diego Padres

His versatility opened doors in all kinds of roles. Whether as a rotation starter or a postseason contributor—especially during the Dodgers’ World Series runs in 2017 and 2018—Hill kept finding ways to matter.

Rewriting Royals History and More

Taking the mound for Kansas City, Hill instantly carves out his place in the Royals’ record books as their oldest player ever. He’s also now the oldest active player in MLB and the first pitcher since Jamie Moyer to start at such an age.

A Rare Baseball Milestone

Hill joins a tiny group—just 122 players—who’ve played at least 21 major-league seasons. That’s a club reserved for those with a rare mix of skill, durability, and sheer stubbornness.

For a pitcher, those traits matter even more. The position just grinds you down physically, year after year.

Hill’s stats back up his staying power. Over 368 games, he’s posted a 90-74 record, a 4.01 ERA, and 1,428 strikeouts in 1,409 innings.

He’s kept adapting, outlasting most of his peers, and finding ways to stay useful on the mound. Not many can say that.

A Strong Showing in Triple-A Omaha

Before his call-up, Hill showed he was ready at Triple-A Omaha—even in a hitter-friendly league. In nine starts, he went 4-4 with a 5.36 ERA.

The numbers don’t exactly leap off the page, but that’s not really the point. Kansas City needs his veteran presence and his knack for eating up innings while their young pitchers keep learning.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro sounded confident about Hill’s promotion, especially after a recent win over the Cubs. Quatraro values Hill for more than just his arm—his experience and leadership could make a difference for the Royals’ young core.

The Legacy of Rich Hill

Rich Hill’s call-up isn’t just about the numbers. It’s a celebration of resilience and a refusal to let age define anyone’s limits.

His spot on the Royals roster inspires players, fans, and honestly, anyone hoping to break through those so-called boundaries. With 21 seasons in the books and appearances on 14 different teams, Hill’s career stretches far and wide.

He’s had postseason heroics along the way, too. That legacy of sticking around—of just plain enduring—feels pretty well cemented.

When Hill takes the mound against the Cubs, it’s not just another game on the schedule. It’s a chance to appreciate what you get from perseverance, passion, and a willingness to adapt.

At 45, Hill keeps showing that in baseball, and maybe in life too, there’s really no expiration date on chasing your dreams.

 
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