NEW YORK — Two decades after first stepping onto a Major League mound, one special veteran is considering writing one more chapter in a career that seemed to have already come to an end.
The 46-year-old pitcher confirmed that he has not officially retired and plans to return to the gym and begin a throwing program during the offseason to determine whether his body is still capable of competing in MLB.
What makes the story especially meaningful is the possibility that the 21-season veteran could seek an opportunity to return to one of the most storied franchises in baseball, the New York Yankees.
That player is Rich Hill, the left-handed pitcher who appeared for the Yankees in 2014 and has long respected the tradition and excellence associated with the pinstripes.
Hill will turn 47 in March, but instead of officially closing the book on his career, he is preparing to test the limits of his body one more time.
Hill’s plan includes returning to the gym, rebuilding strength and beginning a throwing program designed to find a version of his pitching that fits his current physical condition. He is even considering changing his arm slot and delivery, with the goal of finding a new way to pitch that could allow him to contribute out of the bullpen or in the rotation.
In his desire to return to New York, Hill expressed his wish to devote the final chapter of his career to the Yankees and help guide the next generation of talent.
“New York is a special place in this game, and the Yankees represent the highest standard. If there is still an opportunity to come back, I am willing to do whatever the team needs. Starter, bullpen or any role — I just want to help the Yankees win and chase the World Series one more time while sharing everything I’ve learned with the young guys.”
A comeback like that would carry special meaning because Hill has already played 21 MLB seasons, a rare milestone for any pitcher. According to his current career statistics, he owns a record of 90 wins and 76 losses with a 4.02 ERA in 388 games after playing for 14 different franchises.
One of the peaks of his career came in 2016, when the veteran left-hander posted a 12-win, 5-loss record with a 2.12 ERA and finished sixth in NL Cy Young voting. Hill also reached the World Series with the Dodgers in 2017 and 2018, although he has never won a championship during his MLB career spanning more than two decades.
What is drawing even more attention is Hill’s belief that his body can still handle a serious training program despite approaching the age of 47. Rather than trying to become the same pitcher he was at his peak, he wants to find a “new normal,” adjust his mechanics and use experience to compensate for declining velocity.
The possibility of a pitcher at this age still training with the goal of returning to the Major Leagues makes Hill’s plan one of the most unusual comeback stories in MLB.
Of course, there is no indication that the Yankees are currently negotiating a contract with Hill, and any reunion would still depend on the results of his throwing program and professional evaluations. But if Hill proves that his arm is still capable of competing, New York would carry a meaning that very few other destinations could offer for the final chapter of his career.
Twenty-one seasons after the journey began, a return to Yankee Stadium would create a special full-circle moment for Hill, giving him the chance to finish his career with one of baseball’s most iconic franchises while helping lead the next generation of Yankees.
