Rich Hill returns to the Pittsburgh Pirates as the MLB's oldest player once again

When 42-year old veteran left-hander Rich Hill decided to sign with the Boston Red Sox, many fans suspected it would be the final team in the Boston native's 18-year career.

Hill played for the Red Sox between 2010 and 2012 before spending most of the decade as a perrennial MLB journeyman. He signed a 1-year deal before the 2022 season with the Sox.

The player made headlines in late April when he made the Patriots Day start for the Red Sox, appearing just days after his marathon-loving 94-year old father had passed away.

Tom Caron

@TomCaron

Tomorrow’s Pattriots Day start will have added significance for Rich Hill. His father Lloyd, who ran the Boston Marathon 37 times, passed away Friday at the age of 94. #RedSox

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Tomorrow’s Pattriots Day start will have added significance for Rich Hill. His father Lloyd, who ran the Boston Marathon 37 times, passed away Friday at the age of 94. #RedSox https://t.co/vGBhjvPkIK

"Tomorrow’s Pattriots Day start will have added significance for Rich Hill. His father Lloyd, who ran the Boston Marathon 37 times, passed away Friday at the age of 94. #RedSox" - @ Tom Caron

In 2022, Hill posted his highest ERA in years over 26 starts as the Boston Red Sox placed last in the AL East. Although many expected him to retire, he refused to close the books, and signed a 1-year deal worth $8 million with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette sports writer Jason Mackey will be in Tampa as Hill, who turns 43 later this month, prepares for his 19th MLB season.

Speaking about Hill, catcher Kevin Plawecki said:

"He's a psycho... but in a good way. He’s just the ultimate competitor. Nobody wants to win more. It’s why he’s been able to do this for so long."

Jason Mackey

@JMackeyPG

There's a fascinating dichotomy with Pirates pitcher Rich Hill. Nicest guy ever off the field. A maniac on it. I chatted with him about why he is the way he is and the thought process behind that switch flipping: post-gazette.com/sports/pirates…

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There's a fascinating dichotomy with Pirates pitcher Rich Hill. Nicest guy ever off the field. A maniac on it. I chatted with him about why he is the way he is and the thought process behind that switch flipping: post-gazette.com/sports/pirates…

"There's a fascinating dichotomy with Pirates pitcher Rich Hill. Nicest guy ever off the field. A maniac on it. I chatted with him about why he is the way he is and the thought process behind that switch flipping:" - @ Jason Mackey

Rich Hill will once again be the oldest player in the entire MLB this season. Despite posting some solid numbers over the course of his career, he has never been named an All-Star.

He also missed out on a World Series ring, departing teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs mere years before they captured championship titles.

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Rich Hill will keep going until there is nothing left in the tank

As his teammates can attest to, Hill wants to milk as much baseball as possible out of himself before calling it quits. Although he is unlikely to get any closer to that ring this season, we can all be sure that Rich Hill will be putting 110% of his effort towards those ends.

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