Dodgers fan-favorite Rich Hill went on the Baseball Isn't Boring Podcast to speak about his plans for the upcoming season. With his son entering his last year of Little League, Hill wants to put family first and enjoy those moments that he cannot get back.
In the interview, Hill, 43, comments that he feels great and is in shape. He would go on to say that he aims to play at some point in the latter half of the season next year — around July or August.
Hill spent three-and-a-half years in Dodger Blue after he was acquired at the deadline of the 2016 season. In his three full seasons in Los Angeles, he endeared himself to the fans with his mound antics and clips where you don't need to read lips too well to know what he said.
It also helps he was a stellar pitcher for the Dodgers. From 2017 to 2019, the southpaw pitched in 63 games with a 3.30 ERA and 10.7 SO/9.
Fans may remember him most, for better or worse, from Game 4 of the 2018 World Series against the Red Sox. Many felt that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled Hill, who was dealing, too quickly. Hill finished the game with a stat line of 6.1 IP/1 H/1 ER/3 BB/7 SO in a 9-6 losing effort.
Last year, Hill struggled after the Pirates traded him to the San Diego Padres at the deadline. After three poor showings, the Padres moved him to the bullpen where he would remain for five of his last seven appearances.
Hopefully, he gets an opportunity to play somewhere next year. If for nothing more than to say he was a part of 20 MLB seasons.
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