The path to success as a Major League pitcher was much different for Rich Hill than most of his contemporaries. After nearly a decade of mediocrity, he found success in the Independent League and resurfaced with the Boston Red Sox in 2015.
That led to a contract with the Oakland Athletics and midseason trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016. Hill went on to re-sign a three-year, $48 million contract last winter. It was first such lucrative deal of his career.
Now the 37-year-old takes the mound in Game 2 of the National League Division Series with the opportunity to put the Arizona Diamondbacks on the brink of elimination. Whether pitching in April or October, Hill has stressed maintaining the same effort, mindset and approach.
It’s advice and insight he’d pass down to his younger self. “I think the 25, 26, 27-year-old me would be more result-oriented instead of process-oriented,” Hill said.
Because of his philosophy, whether he started in Game 2 or any other in the NLDS, made no difference to Hill. “I’ve got and give that consistent effort as I’ve been giving the entire season,” he said.
“So whether it was Game 2 or 3, out of the bullpen, or wherever it might be, just to be here and bring that intense effort. Again, it goes back to enjoying the process of the playoffs instead of looking at it as result based.”
Hill does need to look far for proof of his viewpoint lending to success. After struggling through June, he dominated in July and was named the NL Pitcher of the Month. A shaky August was then offset by an impressive September to close out the regular season on a positive note.
