Boston Red Sox, Rich Hill’s long and winding journey through Major League Baseball may finally be reaching its conclusion, even if the veteran left-hander hasn’t formally closed the door with an official retirement announcement.
The 45-year-old pitcher, one of the most traveled players of his generation, recently appeared on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast and offered comments that strongly suggest his days on a big-league mound are likely behind him.
While Hill stopped short of using the word “retirement,” his message was clear enough to signal a turning point. “I don’t have any plans on playing next year,” he said, a simple statement that carried the weight of more than two decades of professional baseball experience.
Hill’s most recent time in the majors came during the 2025 season, when he made two appearances for the Kansas City Royals. Those outings may stand as the final entries in a career that spanned an extraordinary number of teams, eras, and reinventions. Over 21 MLB seasons, Hill suited up for a remarkable list of franchises, becoming something of a living snapshot of modern baseball’s constant motion.
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Throughout his career, Hill pitched for the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, and finally the Royals. Few players in baseball history can claim such an extensive résumé of uniforms, clubhouses, and cities.
Despite all those stops, Hill’s most enduring association was with Boston. He made 74 appearances for the Red Sox, more than with any other organization, and posted a strong 3.34 ERA during his time there. That connection was fitting, as Hill is a Massachusetts native and spent multiple stints with the club, serving variously as a starter, reliever, depth option, and veteran stabilizer.
Another major chapter of Hill’s career unfolded in Los Angeles. With the Dodgers, he appeared in 69 games and compiled an impressive 3.16 ERA, playing a key role during some highly competitive seasons. His time in Chicago with the Cubs was also significant, as he logged 64 appearances there, though his 4.37 ERA reflected some of the inconsistency that defined parts of his career. In Cleveland, Hill made 63 appearances, though his results were less favorable, posting a 6.28 ERA.
Across all those teams and years, Hill accumulated numbers that speak to both longevity and perseverance. He pitched a total of 1,418 innings in the major leagues, finishing with a career ERA of 4.02 and striking out 1,432 hitters.
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Those figures tell the story of a pitcher who not only survived but adapted, repeatedly finding ways to remain relevant in a sport that is often unforgiving to aging arms.
Hill’s professional journey began long before his reputation as baseball’s ultimate journeyman took shape. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 MLB Draft by the Cubs after pitching at the University of Michigan. At the time, he was viewed as a promising left-handed arm with solid fundamentals, but few could have predicted that he would still be pitching in the majors more than two decades later.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Hill’s career is the sheer length of it. He appeared in 21 MLB seasons, including an age-45 campaign in 2024 with Kansas City. In an era when pitchers often struggle to remain effective into their late 30s, Hill defied conventional expectations by continuing to contribute well into his 40s.
His ability to reinvent himself—altering his pitch mix, refining his command, and embracing unconventional mechanics—allowed him to outlast many peers who once seemed far more secure in their roles.
As Hill approaches his 46th birthday in March, it’s clear that baseball remains central to his identity, even if his playing days are ending. During his podcast appearance, he spoke candidly about his desire to remain involved in the sport in some capacity. “I’m looking for open possibilities to stay in the game of baseball and be a contributory factor,” Hill explained. “I enjoy the work aspect of whatever it might be that’s next.”
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He went on to reflect more broadly on why athletes often find success in roles beyond active competition. According to Hill, the drive and discipline developed through years of professional sports translate naturally into other pursuits. He described athletes as “highly-driven people that want to succeed,” noting that this mindset is something he hopes to carry forward into whatever comes next for him.
Those comments suggest that while Hill may be stepping away from pitching, he is far from finished with baseball itself. Coaching, mentoring, front-office work, player development, or broadcasting all seem like plausible paths for someone with his experience, insight, and passion for the game.
Given how widely respected he has been throughout the league, opportunities to remain connected to baseball are likely to present themselves.
At the same time, there is a lingering sense that Hill is the kind of player for whom “never say never” truly applies. Throughout his career, he repeatedly returned when many assumed he was finished, often after injuries, poor seasons, or periods out of the spotlight. Time and again, he found a way back, proving that he could still get major league hitters out.
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Even now, it wouldn’t be shocking if Hill decided, months from now, that he wanted one more chance, one more spring training, or one more short stint with a club in need of a left-handed arm. His track record suggests that if he truly wanted to, he could probably still carve out outs at the MLB level, even at an age when most players have long since retired.
For now, though, the signs point toward the end of an era. Rich Hill’s career stands as a testament to resilience, adaptability, and an enduring love for the game. Whether his final chapter is already written or still waiting to be added, his place in baseball history—as one of the most persistent and unique pitchers of his time—is already secure.
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