Latest news with #EdwinJackson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Royals' Rich Hill officially ties MLB history with start for Kansas City
The post Royals' Rich Hill officially ties MLB history with start for Kansas City appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Kansas City Royals added a historic name to their rotation Tuesday night, and it comes with one of the most improbable resumes in the game. Rich Hill, the 45-year-old left-hander, made his season debut for the club at Wrigley Field, officially tying MLB history by pitching for his 14th different franchise, matching Edwin Jackson's all-time record. Hill's appearance against the Chicago Cubs was notable not just for the record books. With the start, he became the oldest MLB player currently active and the oldest to pitch for the Royals in franchise history. At 45 years and 133 days old, he surpassed Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, who briefly pitched for Kansas City in 1983 after turning 45. The Talkin' Baseball podcast highlighted the milestone in a viral post shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), celebrating Hill's historic debut, his place in MLB history, and even referencing him by his infamous nickname. 'Dick Mountain is on the mound for his 2025 debut! The Royals are his 14th different team, tying an MLB record' Rich Hill's return to a big-league mound was more than a milestone — it was effective. The veteran left-hander went five innings in his debut with the club, giving up three runs (just one earned) on six hits and two walks, with one strikeout. While Kansas City's defense faltered behind him, Hill remained composed, relying on his trademark curveball to navigate trouble and keep the game within reach. He exited in the sixth inning with the Royals down 3-0, but his performance was a reminder that experience still plays. Signed by Kansas City in May to a minor league deal, Hill worked his way back from Triple-A Omaha, where he posted a 4-4 record with a 5.36 ERA. Manager Matt Quatraro called Hill up to stabilize a rotation that's lacked consistency, and the decision immediately paid off. Hill's journey to this point is nothing short of legendary. He's pitched in 21 MLB seasons since his 2005 debut with the Cubs, logging over 1,400 innings with a 4.01 ERA. From postseason runs with the Los Angeles Dodgers to independent league stints and injury rehabs, his path back to the bigs with Kansas City exemplifies perseverance. In corresponding roster moves, the Royals optioned right-hander Andrew Hoffman to Triple-A Omaha and designated outfielder Tyler Gentry for assignment. Although the Royals ultimately fell 6-0 to the Cubs, Hill's record-tying debut still marked a meaningful moment. With his arrival, Kansas City gains more than just a veteran arm — they add a leader with perspective and presence. Whether he evolves into a steady rotation piece or serves as a guiding voice for the club's younger pitchers, the veteran brings valuable experience to a clubhouse still seeking consistency. In a game increasingly dominated by youth, the 45-year-old journeyman is living proof that veteran arms still have a place — and sometimes, a moment in history left to write. Related: MLB rumors: Cubs 'check in' with Royals amid trade deadline pitching search Related: Royals player with late Cubs fan father reacts to hitting Wrigley Field home run
Fox News
6 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Royals' Rich Hill, on 14th team, becomes oldest active player in MLB
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Rich Hill tied an MLB record during the team's 6-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Hill, 45, made his Royals' debut in the loss and tied reliever Edwin Jackson for having played for his 14th different team in his MLB career. Hill's return to the major leagues also made him the oldest active player in the sport. The left-handed starting pitcher pitched five innings and yielded six hits and three runs (two unearned) with two walks and a strikeout. "He battled his butt off out there," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said postgame. "It was tough work out there early." "He had a couple of walks in there, but he made a lot of competitive pitches. Some of them didn't go his way, but we didn't play tight enough behind him to keep it where it was. Otherwise, he's probably looking at one, maybe no runs." Hill had a grueling second inning, as he threw 31 of his 90 pitches in that frame as his defense betrayed him. He gave up two unearned runs that inning. "You know, the second inning was a little bit of a grind to get through," Hill said. "But overall, I felt like the ball came out of my hand pretty much the way I wanted to." With the start, Hill's 21st season in the big leagues is underway. He became the oldest player to start in a game since Jamie Moyer did at 49 years old with the Colorado Rockies on May 27, 2012. At 45 years and 133 days, Hill became the oldest player in Royals history, passing Hall of Fame right-hander Gaylord Perry, who appeared in two games with the Royals in 1983 after he turned 45. Hill was called up from Triple-A to join the rotation for Michael Lorenzen, who didn't pitch due to an oblique strain. Quatraro did not say when Hill would pitch next, but the 6-foot-5 lefty wants to pitch again. "It's easy to say that you love it, but when you know you have more to give, it's tough to walk away," Hill said. In his 21-year career, Hill has played for the Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, the then-Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, the then-Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, and the Royals. The Royals (49-53) will take on the Cubs (60-41) in the final game of their three-game series on Wednesday at 2:20 p.m. ET.
Boston Globe
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Royals will be 14th team Milton native Rich Hill has pitched for when he starts Tuesday against the Cubs
Hill appeared in four games last season for the Red Sox, his fourth stint with the team. A start on Tuesday will make him the oldest active player in baseball. Hill made 11 postseason starts during his four years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including two World Series starts in 2017 and another in 2018. He went 11-5 during the latter regular season. Advertisement Hill is 90-74 with a 4.01 ERA in 368 career MLB games. He has pitched 1,409 innings and has struck out 1,428. The Royals will be his 14th major league team, joining the Cubs, Orioles, Red Sox, Cleveland, Angels, Yankees, A's, Dodgers, Twins, Rays, Mets, Pirates, and Padres. Hill will tie righthander Edwin Jackson for playing with the most teams. Jackson, who last appeared in 2019 with the Tigers, is 41 years old.
New York Times
21-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Rich Hill to join Royals, pitch for record-tying 14th major league team: Source
Rich Hill is on the verge of making a record-tying return to the major leagues with the Kansas City Royals, a league source with knowledge of the situation told The Athletic. The 45-year-old left-hander will join the team as a member of its taxi squad on Monday, and could pitch as soon as Tuesday. Should he take the mound for Kansas City, he would tie Edwin Jackson's record for appearing in games with 14 MLB teams. Jackson passed Octavio Dotel for the honor of playing with the most teams in the majors in 2019. Advertisement Hill's first outing would also mark his 21st consecutive year with at least one game in the major leagues. He was briefly out of affiliated baseball in 2015, pitching in the independent Atlantic League before the start of his late-career renaissance. Hill, a fourth-round pick of the Chicago Cubs in 2002, has been a journeyman since he last pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. After posting a 3.16 ERA across four seasons with the Dodgers and playing a pivotal role in that team's postseason success, Hill signed a series of one-year contracts, beginning with the Minnesota Twins ahead of 2020. He also joined the Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox on separate deals. He was traded twice in that period, by the Rays to the New York Mets in late July 2021 and by the Pirates to the San Diego Padres at the 2023 deadline. In addition to his original team, he also previously suited up in the majors for the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics. Hill pitched in the major leagues last season with the Red Sox, but he had not signed to play this season until the Royals inked him to a minor-league deal in May. Hill gave up 25 earned runs and posted a 1.62 WHIP in 42 innings over 11 starts for the Royals' Triple-A affiliate. He also struck out 48 batters, including 10 in five innings on July 14. The majority of the damage against Hill came in three starts. He has lasted at least five innings in six of his outings. It's unclear what role Hill will serve for the Royals, whose rotation ranks second in baseball with a 3.36 ERA. But the staff recently lost starter Michael Lorenzen to the injured list with an oblique strain, and Cole Ragans, who was fourth in Cy Young Award voting last year, has been on the shelf with a rotator cuff strain since early June. Additionally, left-handed reliever Daniel Lynch IV was put on the IL with nerve irritation in his elbow on July 6. The Royals are in fourth place in the AL Central and 5 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. The Athletic's Andy McCullough contributed to this story. (Photo of Hill last season: Duane Burleson / Getty Images)
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Baseball's oldest player signs shock new contract to keep his career going at the age of 45... and joins his 14th MLB club!
The legend of the man they call 'Dick Mountain' continues - as the oldest player in baseball hopes to crack a major league roster once again. 45-year-old southpaw pitcher Rich Hill has inked a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals, as revealed by the ballclub on Tuesday. Hill will report to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers as he'll try to play for a 14th MLB franchise at some point this season. If Hill does that, he'll move into a tie for the most MLB teams that one person has ever played for. Hill is currently tied with the late Octavio Dotel. If he suits up for the Royals, he'll join fellow pitcher Edwin Jackson atop this peculiar mountain. The pro baseball journey for the Milton, Massachusetts native begins in 1999 when he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 36th round. He passed on joining the Big Red Machine in favor of playing college baseball at the University of Michigan. Hill was drafted again in 2001 - this time, in the seventh round by the Anaheim Angels - but again chose to play in college. He was finally signed by the Chicago Cubs, who picked him in the fourth round in 2002. The Cubs were team 1-of-13 for Hill as he made his MLB debut against the Florida Marlins in 2005. Hill played for the Cubs for four seasons, an anomaly in his career, before signing with the Baltimore Orioles for one season. Following that, he spent three seasons pitching for his hometown Boston Red Sox. From there, Hill embarked on a series of one-season stints: the Cleveland Indians in 2013, the Angels and New York Yankees in 2014, the Red Sox again in 2015 [after a brief stint in the farm system for the Washington Nationals], and the Oakland A's in 2016. Just before the 2016 trade deadline, the A's traded Hill to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a package of prospects. Prior to that trade, Hill was having one of the best seasons of his career - earning AL Pitcher of the Month in May of that year. Hill would stay with the Dodgers for parts of four seasons - reaching the playoffs in all four. He started twice for the Dodgers in the the 2017 World Series, where they lost to the Houston Astros and once in the 2018 World Series, where they lost to the Red Sox. After being non-tendered at the end of the 2019 season, Hill once again bounced around the league: 2020 with the Minnesota Twins, 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Mets, the Red Sox a third time in 2022, the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres in 2023, and most recently, a fourth stint with the Red Sox in 2024. Hill's journeyman career led him to interacting with a number of players, with one in particular giving him his nickname. Brock Holt, a member of the 2015 Red Sox, believed it would be funny to give the pitcher the nickname 'Dick Mountain' - 'Dick' being short for 'Richard' and 'Mountain' being adjacent to 'Hill'. Hill clearly didn't hate the name, putting it on the back of his jersey during Player's Weekend in 2018. At 20 seasons in MLB, Hill is the longest tenured active player in baseball.
