Rich Hill

Richard Joseph Hill (born March 11, 1980), nicknamed "Dick Mountain", is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.

He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Diego Padres.

He played college baseball for the Michigan Wolverines.

Hill was drafted three times in the MLB draft (1999, 2001, 2002) before signing with the Cubs.

Hill has earned both American League and National League Pitcher of the Month honors.

He is the only pitcher in Major League history to have had a perfect game broken up by a 9th-inning fielding error as well as the only pitcher in Major League history to have a no-hitter broken up in extra innings by a walk-off home run (both of which occurred in the same game).

At 43 years old, Hill is currently the oldest active MLB player.

Hill was born and raised in Milton, Massachusetts, and played for Milton High School's varsity baseball team when he was a freshman.

He is one of four to do so in the school's history.

He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 36th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft; but opted to play college baseball for the Michigan Wolverines.

As a freshman, he struggled with a 9.23 earned run average (ERA) in 13 games, but he became a full-time member of the rotation as a sophomore, posting a record of 3–5 with a 3.84 ERA in 15 games, including one complete game shutout.

In 2000 and 2001, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

He was drafted again in the seventh round of the 2001 MLB Draft by the Anaheim Angels but decided to return to the Wolverines.

In his junior season at Michigan in 2002, he was 3–7 with a 3.55 ERA in 15 games, including eight complete games and two shutouts, and striking out 104 while walking only 38.

Hill is a natural right-handed thrower, but was converted to lefty by his brother.

Hill was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago Cubs and signed on July 10, 2002.

He had been rated as having one of the best curveballs in the draft but mechanical and control issues kept him out of the early rounds.

He began his professional career with the Boise Hawks of the Northwest League, where he was 0–2 with an 8.36 ERA in six games.

In 2003 with Boise he was 1–6 with a 4.35 ERA in 14 starts and led the Northwest League in strikeouts with 99.

He was promoted to the Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League, where he was 0–1 with a 2.76 ERA in 15 games (4 starts).

In 2004, he was assigned to the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League.

He was 7–6 with a 4.03 ERA in 28 games (19 starts) and 136 strikeouts.

He was also selected by Baseball America as having the best curveball in the Cubs organization.

Hill began the 2005 season with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx of the Southern League.

He made 10 starts for them, with a 4–3 record and 3.28 ERA while leading the league in strikeouts with 90.

He earned a May promotion to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs of the Pacific Coast League.

In 11 games for Iowa, he was 6–1 with a 3.60 ERA and 92 strikeouts.

He earned Milb.com distinctions as breakthrough performer of the year.

Hill made his major league debut on June 15, 2005, against the Florida Marlins.

He pitched one inning of relief, giving up two runs on three hits, and did not factor into the decision.

He struck out Carlos Delgado for his first major league strikeout.

Hill's first start was on July 25, 2005, subbing for the oft-injured Kerry Wood against the San Francisco Giants.

Once again he gave up two earned runs, but lasted five innings.

The game was memorable due to Hill tripping over third-base on his way to the plate after a Todd Walker drive down the right-field line.

With just one out and the score tied, Walker was forced to stop at first base, and Jerry Hairston Jr.. (who was behind Hill) at second.

Hill did not score, and returned to third base unhurt.

He did not factor into the decision, a Cubs' victory.

He finished the season with an 0–2 record in 10 games ( innings) while making four starts.

His ERA was 9.13 and he struck out 21 while walking 17.

In 2006, he started the season in Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs, but was called up on May 4 for a start against the Arizona Diamondbacks.