“It’s a mess.”
That is how Rich Hill described his life over the past 12 years. However, mess is not quite the word that comes to mind to those who watched Hill pitch Oct. 18 against the now-World Series champion Chicago Cubs in the 2016 National League Champion Series. A word like “excellent” is more fitting.
Hill’s journey had brought him from high praise both in high school and college to a crash in his early big-league career. Control issues plagued his draft stock and he dropped to the fourth round of the 2002 draft. He slowly worked his way up through the Cubs organization, riding on the potential of his curveball, which scouts agreed was the best of all Cubs prospects.
Upon reaching the Major Leagues, his career sputtered. From 2005-2010, he bounced between AAA and MLB ball, and was traded, waived and signed by a series of clubs. Injuries piled up, and on June 9, 2011, Hill underwent Tommy John surgery to repair his pitching elbow.
At this point, nobody was talking about the lefty starter with the unhittable curve. Instead, Hill’s career was a story of disappointment. He is a fighter, though, and completely changed his delivery for his comeback, heading to the bullpen for what seemed like a few more unimpressive years. This is largely what happened until the road looked to be ending in 2015, when he received no more offers.
Nevertheless, Hill was not done with baseball. As his strength increased, he began throwing over the top again. He signed with an independent league, this time reclaiming his starting spot.
Feeling his best, Hill dominated and received looks from Major League clubs. In late 2015, the Red Sox brought him back to the MLB and he was once again starting games at the highest level.
In 2016 he signed with the Oakland Athletics, but was traded midseason to the Los Angeles
Dodgers, where he ended his season with the NLCS victory against the Cubs. This win capped a season where the career 4.10 ERA pitcher sported an impressive 2.12 ERA. He posted career bests or near-career bests in wins, strikeouts, WAR, K/9 ratio, K/BB ratio and WHIP — all while being 36 years old, after extensive surgery. His remarkable career is a testament to the oddness and unpredictability of sports, and the power of determination that can never be reflected in statistics.
But there is a side to this story that I have yet to tell you.
When we look at the arc of Hill’s career, we are left wondering what keeps him going. Certainly many ballplayers hang up their hats sooner. The answer lies not in financial incentives or an obsession with the game, the two primary motivators for many athletes. Instead, it is in a desire for excellence that was built up by a truthful perspective.
In early 2014, following a season in which he posted an ERA of 6.28, Hill and his wife Caitlin lost their infant son Brooks to multiple health issues. His loss was the most difficult challenge of his life, and has shaped his career immeasurably. It has brought him a unique perspective on life, and it drives him to pursue excellence.
“Life keeps moving forward; it doesn’t matter. People die, daily life continues, but with a different view on life, an understanding of time and how precious life is. We live for our son Brooks and with his memory on an everyday basis,” Hill said in an interview earlier this month with WBUR 90.9.
His comeback to baseball is linked to his physical health, but perhaps more importantly, to his family’s healing process following their loss.
We often find ourselves outmatched and overwhelmed by the giants in our daily lives. Finding the perspective to see both the big picture and the beautiful details is difficult. Hill’s mess reminds us of the important parts of life, the elements of the human experience which make sports exciting and inspiring and also lead us to love deeply. I do not know about you, but I will be rooting for Rich Hill in 2017.
Hugh Ramlow is a junior in the College. The zone appears every other Tuesday .
