BRADENTON, Fla.-- When Rich Hill was prepared out of college by the Cubs in 2002, Quinn Priester was a 2-year-old growing up in Chicago. Currently a leading throwing possibility with the Pirates Sid Fernandez Jersey, Priester never ever pictured he would certainly wind up sharing a club with Hill during spring training." I vaguely remember him being with the Cubbies, but I really remember him pitching against the Cubbies when he was (with the Dodgers) throughout those (2016 as well as 2017) playoff runs, " Priester claimed. "He's been around a long period of time. It's truly exciting to get a chance to learn from him in this camp." AdvertisementHill, who will turn 43 on Saturday, is the earliest active gamer in the majors. The left-hander has actually joined in more than 600 video games if you include his time in the minors, winter ball and also a brief stint in an independent league. The Pirates, who signed Hillside to an $8 million deal in the offseason, are his 12th major-league club.Priester isn't the just one with hazy memories concerning Hill's soon-to-be 19-year big-league job. With a sheepish smile, Hillside confessed he too in some cases has trouble recalling all the information." I think one of the factors I'm still playing is since my memory is so inadequate, " Hill stated. "I'll need to go back and also view the tape sometime as well as see if a few of those memories come back to me." When Hill was a novice in 2005, George W. Bush was starting his 2nd term as president, Hurricane Katrina damaged New Orleans and also "Celebrity Wars Episode III: Retribution of the Sith" remained in cinemas. The Cubs were still more than a decade far from finishing what became a 108-year World Series dry spell. The infield change, currently prohibited by MLB, wasn't also a point yet.Before Hillside can plug in his video cassette recorder to replay his old video games, The Sports caught him in the club this springtime at LECOM Park and also asked if he was up for a pop quiz regarding his profession." Fire away, " Hillside said. Rich Hill tosses a pitch this spring for the Pirates, his 12th big-time team.  (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Pirates) Question 1: That was the starting quarterback during your fresher year at Michigan?Tom Brady. Drew Henson was there too, yet Brady was the starting quarterback.Correct. Brady played in the NFL up until he was 45. When he retired after last season, you ended up being the oldest energetic player in American professional sports.It's probably something good in the water in Michigan, I presume. I do not know. I have actually never ever really had any interactions with Tom or anything. He, undoubtedly, is the best quarterback of all time. Watching him at Michigan and also seeing his occupation, I had not been really shocked that he would become terrific. It was just the consistency of the way he dipped into Michigan. That was really it. There wasn't anything fancy; it was constantly just down-and-out, 5 yards below and 10 backyards there, maintain the ball relocating. The individual who has taken control of for Tom Brady as the earliest energetic gamer in any one of the four major specialist sports talks Tom Brady. Pay Attention to Rich Hill.
https://t.co/XyZMXy4ac7 pic.twitter.com/maHlUleMmg-- Baseball Isn't Dull () February 2, 2023Question 2: How many times were you drafted?Three times. I was drafted by Cincinnati. I assume it was the 36th round (in 1999) and after that (by) Anaheim in the seventh round (in 2001) as well as by the Cubs in the 4th round (in 2002).
Correct. Why really did not you sign the first two times?I had not been all set for professional ball-- too young, as well premature. Mosting likely to college most definitely aided me a great deal. After the Angels prepared me, I actually intended to return to Michigan to have a possibility to win and do something unique. Unfortunately, that really did not take place. (In 2002, the Wolverines finished 21-32 as well as Hill went 3-7 with a 3.54 AGE.) But I still improved that period at Michigan. I began to improve my ability to toss strikes, and discovered more regarding myself. Ultimately, it was the appropriate relocation.
AdvertisementSo you really did not hand down the Angels so they would certainly have more reward money available to sign Mike Trout?Well, at that factor, he was most likely 10 years old, so. no.
(Note: Bonus offer point granted for nailing the Trout trivia. Trout was 9 years, 10 months old when the Angels composed Hillside.) Question 3: You made your big-time debut on June 15, 2005, against the Marlins. That got the initial hit you allowed?Uh. was it Mike Lowell?
Close, yet wrong. Lowell was in the opening when you gave up a one-out dual to. Oh, yeah, it was Miguel Cabrera.
Yep. Cabrera lined a dual to deep ideal area as well as Lowell increased him house. Miggy is 39 years of ages and also still chugging along, much like you.We have actually gone across courses a couple of times throughout the years. Guys our age, we've had a lot of common teammates. That's just how, if you're lucky adequate to be in the ready a bit, you wind up knowing each other without really knowing each various other, if that makes feeling.
Kind of a "six levels of splitting up" thing connecting you to Cabrera?Exactly. Additionally, I played one period of winter months sphere in 2008 (with Tigres de Aragua) in his hometown (of Maracay) in Venezuela. I really did not play with him, but with a great deal of guys that understand him and stuff like that. He's been remarkable for the game and also is among the very best hitters of all time.Question 4: After producing the dual to Cabrera, you videotaped your very first strikeout. That was it?Carlos Delgado. Got him swinging. I ended up playing with him years later on in Triple A. What a wonderful individual. An unbelievable person and a good teammate.
Correct. Delgado set out two times in four profession at-bats versus you.Question 5: What is your career-high strikeout game and also which group was it against?It was 13 strikeouts and I think it protested heaven Jays-- no, excuse me, the Kansas City Royals.
Correct. You established that mark in May 2021 with the Rays. Rich Hill had 13 strikeouts as well as 0 strolls yesterday. At 41 years of ages, he's the second oldest pitcher in our data source to have a game with 13+ Ks and also 0 BBs, behind only Nolan Ryan pic.twitter.com/savoBX16nf-- Baseball Referral () May 26, 2021Question 6: According to that, against which team did you scratch your very first double-digit strikeout game?Cincinnati Reds?
AdvertisementRight department Travis Blankenhorn Jersey, wrong team.Milwaukee Makers. no? Pittsburgh Pirates?
OK, partial credit report, with the caveat that you were down to your last strike in terms of assumptions. On Sept. 6, 2006, in your 2nd period in the majors, you whiffed 11 Pirates over 71/3 innings at Wrigley Area. I remember that Royals game since I was 41 years old. Yet I do not keep in mind the Pirates game due to the fact that it's also much back.Question 7: You made your first begin on July 25, 2005, versus the Giants. Who was intended to pitch that day for the Cubs?Kerry Wood. He had shoulder problems going on. I don't bear in mind anything even more than that.
Correct. You got a no-decision versus the Giants as well as took place to make 6 more appearances (3 starts) in your rookie year. At the end of August, Timber had season-ending shoulder surgical treatment. Rich Hill, 25, reacts after enabling a residence run in his very first career begin on July 25, 2005. (Jeff Roberson/ Associated Press) Question 8: Whom have you set out most often?I don't recognize. Pass.
Pass? There is no death in Rich Hill Fact. Inaccurate solution. Wil Myers has started out 12 times in 23 at-bats against you. Oh, Wil Myers. Yeah, OK. I don't recognize if I can state I have any person. It's difficult to get a strikeout in this organization. You take them when you obtain them.Question 9: Who has actually struck one of the most home runs off you?Miguel Cabrera.
Inaccurate. Cabrera has actually homered when in 19 at-bats against you. Mike Cameron is 5 for 10 against you, but 4 of those hits were homers. You and Livan Hernandez are tied atop the checklist of pitchers that Cameron, who hit 278 job homers, took deep frequently. There are 4 various other Pirates among his leading 12: Paul Maholm (three), Matt Morris, Wandy Rodriguez as well as Tom Gorzelanny (two each). I guess he just has my number. I played with Mike in Boston (in 2010 and also 2011). He's an additional excellent teammate as well as actually excellent person. I do not keep in mind (the homers) since it was a very long time back. I guess he was with the Brewers at the time.
AdvertisementWhen you and also Cameron were colleagues, did you ever before ask him why he had a lot success versus you?I would now, but at that time I never actually did. Honestly, a big component of pitching in this organization is just being able to stay in the day that you remain in and concentrated on the job handy. You can not concentrate on like, "OK, he's obtained four homers off me. He's 4-for-10, or whatever." You've reached constantly forge ahead of making pitches, getting people out and attempting to remain on the assault. I don't really rest there and also state, "Why has this man figured me out?" It may have been a tip or something like that. But if it is, we try to figure that out on our own.Question 10: Of your new Pirates colleagues, who has had the a lot of success versus you? Allow's set the bar at a minimum of 10 at-bats. Easy, Carlos Santana.
Correct. Santana is batting.333 (5-for-15) versus you with one homer, Chris Owings is at.267 (4-for-15) with a homer, Andrew McCutchen is at.250 (4-for-16) and also Austin Hedges is at.211 (4-for-19) with a homer.We played together in Cleveland. Carlos is an extremely balanced player. I have actually had the ability to see him from his 2nd year in the organization with Cleveland already and what an incredible job he's had. A wonderful story and also real interpretation of perseverance. What a terrific signing for the Pirates. I assume it's terrific for Oneil (Cruz), Miguel (Andjar) and also the various other Latin individuals to have someone they can look up to. Occasionally, that goes underestimated. We're exceptionally privileged to have Carlos, and also we're all going to have the ability to rally around each other.Question 11: You are among 6 players in major-league history to play for 12 or more groups. That are the various other five?Edwin Jackson is absolutely among them. Jhonny Peralta? No, wait, not Peralta. He played a great deal of years (15) however just with (3) teams. Um. I don't know. Any tips?
Allow's give you partial credit score right here. You got the very easy one. Jackson is the all-time leader with 14 groups. The remainder are Octavio Dotel (13 teams), Mike Morgan, Matt Stairs as well as Ron Villone (12 each). Inquiry 12: All right, this is a toughie. Can you list the order of teams, consisting of repeats, for whom you have actually played?Yeah, I think so. Cubs. Baltimore. St. Louis, if we're including groups I signed with yet really did not bet (in the majors). From there, we most likely to Boston and also to Cleveland. Back to Boston. Anaheim, New York City Yankees, Washington. Then from Washington to the Long Island Ducks. (Giggles) Back once again to Boston. Then from Oakland to L.A. to Minnesota to Tampa to the New York City Mets to Boston and also now to Pittsburgh.
AdvertisementCorrect. Boom, that went over. I can not keep in mind where I parked my vehicle some days, however you nailed that checklist rather swiftly and on the first shot. You expanded up in Milton, Mass. Does that clarify all the stops with the Red Sox?It's an incredible organization. I have actually undergone a great deal of bumpy rides, household scenarios with the loss of our boy, Brooks, 2 months after his birth. I remember managing (Pirates GM) Ben (Cherington) when he remained in Boston. The method (the Red Sox) managed the whole scenario as well as the mankind they showed was first course. That issues. They have actually provided me the opportunity to play in the big leagues numerous times, and also I'm really grateful for that. Last period was Hill's third stint with the Red Sox. (David Butler II/ U.S.A. Today) Question 13: In 2015, what franchise business record did you connect with the Long Island Ducks?Strikeouts. I had 14 strikeouts in six innings versus Camden.
OK, you got the nature of the record proper however are slightly off on the total. It was 17 strikeouts. You weren't in the Nats' plans that year, however the Red Sox suggested they wanted to take a flier. You pulled out of your manage Washington and pitched in two games with the Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. Throwing 11 scoreless innings with the Ducks kept you fit till Boston located a place for you on its lineup. Question 14: In 2016, you got your only Opening Day task. Just how did that come about?Sonny Gray got ill (food poisoning), so I obtained a phone call from (A's manager) Bob Melvin. He said, "Hey, can you start today?" and I was like, "Yeah, definitely! Opening Day? Not a problem." I keep in mind striking the first batter (Adam Eaton) with a fastball as well as I was like, "Oh, young boy, right here we go." So, yeah, the Opening Day nerves were most definitely there. We lost that video game, but the remainder of the season wound up going quite well.
Correct. You permitted four runs (two earned) over 22/3 innings in a 4-3 loss against the White Sox on Opening Day, and ended up that period 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA. Question 15: The amount of postseason looks have you made?Twelve.
Actually, it's 13. Well Kevin Long Jersey, 12 beginnings.
OK, factor taken, yet still just partial credit. Anything stand out concerning your 3 Globe Series outings?A great deal of guys go their entire occupations and also never ever obtain to lend a hand one. I feel fortunate, being able to play the video game as long as I have. Yet, really, it has to do with reaching the postseason, making begins in the postseason and throwing worldwide Series. We were simply speaking about it today in the outfield while we were shagging. Postseason baseball is the reason I play and why I authorized right here. There's a wonderful possibility for something special to happen here. I truly do think that.Question 16: The number of of your previous colleagues are Cy Youthful Honor winners?Good inquiry. Three?
Inaccurate. It's 6: Greg Maddux, Corey Kluber, CC Sabathia, Rick Porcello, Clayton Kershaw and also Jacob deGrom. Wait, it must be 7. Really did not Chris Sale win one? He was one of the initial ones that came to my mind.
Upon further review: Incorrect again. Sale, who was your colleague in Boston, finished amongst the top 6 for the American Organization Cy Youthful each season from 2012 to 2018, but never won the award.Question 17: What's the only ball park that your 11-year-old kid Brice has not yet visited?That would certainly be the Reds' ballpark, and also we'll arrive this year. Having him around when I'm playing has been rather an experience. He enjoys the game. The individuals in every storage locker area-- L.A., Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Boston, New york city and now Pittsburgh-- have actually been unbelievable. It's been great, subjecting him to the video game so he can see the professionalism as well as the work that enters into everyday. That's something that will certainly educate valuable lessons, whether he sticks with baseball or does another thing.
Correct. Question 18: After a hard trip in the 2018 NLCS, what did you ruin in the Dodgers' dugout?A box of Hi-Chews. Yep, yep. I felt bad, because those are great candies; I really enjoy them. After that, men maintained making jokes on the days when I pitched: "Obtain all the sweet out of here!" D. Hill takes off pic.twitter.com/req2xPa65W-- Cut4 () October 17, 2018Correct. The Pirates do not have Hi-Chews in their dugout. Even if they did, however, Hillside had actually promised to never again get his disappointment on delicious snack products. Thanks for the apology #RichHill! #DontHurtTheHICHEW may be our new MLB motivated hashtag! https://t.co/y8KQNxX5WH-- Hi-Chew () October 19, 2018Final tally: 11 correct, 4 wrong, three partial credit reports and also one perk factor that Hill can bank if he ever plays Mike Trout Fact. Not bad.( Leading image: Sean Reilly/ The Sports/ Images: Brynn Anderson/ Associated Press; Jonathan Daniel as well as Jim McIsaac/ Getty Images) .

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