Faith in Hill
There’s no nice way to put it: Rich Hill has not lived up to his potential this season and Dodger fans are well aware of it. Despite being 3-3 on the season with 2 no decisions, Hill has an ERA of 5.14 – his highest since pitching in relief for the Cleveland Indians in 2013.
Hill’s story in an interesting one. He grew up in the small town of Milton, Massachusetts just outside of Boston and attended college at the University of Michigan. Hill was actually drafted twice early in his career: once in 1999 by the Cincinnati Reds right out of high school and again in 2001 by the Anaheim Angels; however, Rich opted to play college ball instead. Rich, eventually, signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2002 and was called up the big leagues in 2005.
Rich pitched for the Cubs for 4 seasons and, since then, has not had a permanent place to call home. Hill was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 then to the Boston Red Sox from 2010-2012, the Cleveland Indians in 2013, the Boston Red Sox, Anaheim Angels and the New York Yankees in 2014, the Red Sox again in 2015, the Oakland A’s in 2016 and, finally, to the Dodgers mid-way through last season; however, Rich’s continuous moves were not the only hardship he and his family faced.
Tragedy struck the Hill family on February 24, 2014. Just two days shy of two months old, Rich’s second son, Brooks, passed away.
“We had a son on December 26th and he was born with multiple issues that we confronted and had to deal with,” Hill said. “Unfortunately, he succumbed. He’s passed. He taught us a lot of things. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out.”
Rich Hill’s life was changed forever.
Rich bounced back from the loss in whatever way a father can after the loss of a child and, two years later, started 2016 for the Oakland A’s with a spectacular 9-3 record, 2.25 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Hill caught the interest of the Dodger’s front office and was acquired on August 1st, one month after Clayton Kershaw went on the DL with a lower back injury.
Hill finished the regular season for the Dodgers 3-2 with a 1.83 ERA and 0.79 WHIP – well enough to earn him the #2 spot on the pitching rotation. He also pitched three games in the postseason: his only loss coming in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals along with a no-decision in Game 5, while earning a huge postseason win in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Chicago Cubs.
The 37-year-old’s first start of the 2017 season looked promising as he defeated the San Diego Padres allowing only 1 run on 2 hits over 5 innings; however, a lingering blister on his throwing hand dating back to last season sent him to the DL on April 7th and again on April 16th.
Since his return, Rich Hill has not been himself. Hill has not lasted more than 5 innings this entire season and gave up a season high 7 runs on 8 hits through only 4 innings (and 105 pitches) to the Cleveland Indians last week. It was the most runs he had given up since 2009 while pitching for the Orioles when he allowed 9 runs through 3 1/3 innings. Fans are beginning to wonder if he is worth the three-year, $48 million contract the Dodgers extended to him at the end of last season. Many are not only unhappy with his performance but want him off the team altogether.
Though their complaints are valid thus far, Hill shouldn’t be counted out just yet. How easily people forget that Hill was one of the many reasons the Dodgers won the division and made it as deep into the postseason as they did last season. Family history, frequent trades and his seemingly unhealing blister aside, it still seems that Rich Hill deserves another shot. Maybe if he spends some time in Oklahoma City it’ll re-kindle the fire we know that he has. Maybe if he spends one-on-one time with the pitching coaches they’ll be able to work on his approach to avoid causing blisters. Maybe if he spends some time on the DL or works only in relief situations it will allow his blister to fully heal. Whatever it takes, the Dodgers need to invest as much time and effort as they can into Hill to get him back up to speed and help him regain his confidence. If they are able to do that, it would not be suprising to see a historic moment from Hill this upcoming postseason.
BakoBoyInBlue
*Special thanks to Yvette Rideaux from Gary, Indiana for inspiration on this article.
This article is well written. The facts about this blessed athlete are on point. Richard Hill deserves a second chance. Time invested in the minors to built up his technique is warrented. He will return better than ever. #GO RICHHILL! BIG 44.:)
Thanks Yvette! I sure hope he can get healthy because the Dodgers need him! Go Rich Hill and go Dodgers!
First thing-most everybody in MLB thought 48 million was way too muchto pay–Half of that would have signed him-That said He hasnt done any worse than Maeda or Ryu—Simply use all 3 for the number 4 and 5 spots and lets see what happens–thats it thats all
48 million may have been too much – I can’t argue with that…but you’re right: Maeda and Ryu haven’t really lived up to their potential either. Right now it’s Kershaw, Wood and McCarthy. We need a solid #4 guy no matter which way you cut it.