September 1, 2010
A Hill of a homecoming
by David Laurila/
Rich Hill, 30, is hoping to resurrect his career with the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Rich Hill is back in New England. The 30-year-old left-hander was signed by the Red Sox in late June, a dozen years after he left his hometown of Milton to play baseball at the University of Michigan and later for the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles. Currently pitching for Triple-A Pawtucket, Hill had his best season in 2007 when he won 11 games and finished fifth in the National League in strikeouts as a member of the Cubs.
New EnglandBaseball Journal: What was it like growing up, and playing baseball, in New England?
Rich Hill: Growing up in New England, obviously you’re a Red Sox fan, first and foremost. I was fortunate enough to go to a lot of games because my brother had season tickets, and he still does. My brothers played in the Boston Park League, so I got to experience baseball from that side of New England as well. Both of my brothers who played baseball had great careers. For me, growing up and playing on Babe Ruth all-star teams, and Little League all-star teams, and traveling the state, was a lot of fun. I threw a couple of no-hitters, but what I mostly remember is just playing baseball all summer.
NEBJ: You were drafted out of high school by the Cincinnati Reds but opted to attend the University of Michigan instead. Why?
RH: It was just a matter of knowing whether or not I was ready to play professional baseball and at the time I didn’t think I was, either physically or maturity-wise. To make that decision was tough, but going to the University of Michigan is something that will pay dividends for the rest of my life. The friendships that I made and the people I got to meet at Michigan were huge. The athletics and academics – what they have to offer – make it an all-around great school.
NEBJ: You were subsequently drafted by the Cubs in 2002. What were the early years of your professional career like?
RH: They were interesting. It was fun to be a part of the Chicago Cubs’ organization, and to go through their system and ultimately play at the highest level. It was something that I enjoyed, and much like Michigan, a lot of that was the friendships I made and the people I met along the way.
NEBJ: Were you aware of any interest from the Red Sox when you were drafted in 2002?
RH: I wasn’t aware of any interest by the Red Sox, but that was also the old Red Sox regime at the time. Now it’s changed for the better. They’ve gotten in a lot of good people for the front office and that has obviously shown through the championships that they’ve brought to Boston.
NEBJ: What do you most remember about getting called up to the big leagues for the first time?
RH: It was in 2005, and I remember getting called into the office. I was supposed to make a start the next day, but I had a blister from pitching and they didn’t know if I’d be able to pitch or not. The manager at the time was Mike Quade, who is the third-base coach for the Cubs now, and when I went in he told me, “Oh, I don’t know if you can pitch tomorrow,” but they were actually just pulling my chain. Then they told me that I was going up to Chicago.
NEBJ: What happened in your big-league debut?
RH: It was against the Florida Marlins and I remember being in the bullpen and how I was really nervous warming up. I couldn’t really even throw a strike. Then, when I went into the game, it was as though I couldn’t not throw a strike; everything that I was throwing was a strike. It was fun, although I did give up doubles to Miguel Cabrera and Mike Lowell.
NEBJ: What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
RH: I threw a complete game in 2006 and there was the whole 2007 season where I pitched very well and was in the top five in the National League in strikeouts. That was a pretty good year. [Editor’s note: Hill’s 2006 complete game was a two-hit shutout, with 10 strikeouts, against Cincinnati.]
NEBJ: Your career has taken a bit of a downturn since 2007. Why?
RH: Injuries, really. It has been injuries. I had shoulder surgery last year. I also had some back issues in 2008, so ’08 and ’09 were kind of years of struggle. This year has been a good year, because I’ve been healthy the entire time. This season, up to this point, things have been going pretty well.
NEBJ: How did you come to sign with the Red Sox?
RH: I had an out [clause] in my contract with St. Louis, and I took it and came to Boston. The Red Sox had actually been interested before the season started, but initially they wanted me out of the bullpen and I felt that I could still start, and I wanted to start, so that’s why I ended up in the St. Louis organization. After I took the out, Boston called my agent and that’s how I ended up over here.
NEBJ: How much of an “I’m home” feeling is there for you to be back in New England?
RH: It’s there. It’s nice to be able to go home and stay at home. My wife and I enjoy being here and not having to live somewhere else for this half of the season. We were recently commenting on how nice it is to be home and if the chance happens to come to be in Boston, we’ll actually be able to walk to the ballpark. We would certainly like that.
NEBJ: Any final thoughts?
RH: Just that I grew up a Boston Red Sox fan. I’m a local guy who has always enjoyed the Red Sox. We attended the World Series parade – my dad and I, in 2004 – and my wife and I in 2007. The Cubs were in the playoffs in 2007 as well, and my wife and I were watching the parade going by from our window in downtown Boston. That was kind of a bittersweet feeling, I guess. We were happy for the city of Boston and the state of Massachusetts, but not about how [the Cubs] had gotten kicked out in the [National League] Division Series.
