Seven bonkers historical notes about 45-year-old Royals pitcher Rich Hill’s start
Quite a few people will be more interested in Tuesday night’s Royals-Cubs game at Wrigley Field than the one the teams played there on Monday.
That’s because of who is starting the game for the Royals: It’s 45-year-old left-handed pitcher Rich Hill, who was added to Kansas City’s 40-man roster on Tuesday and recalled to make the start.
History nuts will love all the amazing things about Hill’s start for the Royals. Here are seven fascinating nuggets from the Royals and others.
1. Hill will be the 38th pitcher since 1920 to appear in at least 21 separate seasons, and the first since Bartolo Colón (1997-2018).
2. The Royals are the 14th team for which Hill has played, tying Edwin Jackson for the most in MLB history.
3. At 45 years and 133 days old, Hill surpasses Gaylord Perry (45.006) as the oldest player to appear in a game in Royals history. Perry appeared in two games for KC after turning 45 in 1983.
4. The last pitcher to appear in a game at the age of 45 (or older) was Texas’ Colón (Sept. 22, 2018 vs. the Mariners).
5. Hill is starting against the Cubs, who drafted him in 2002, eight months before Royals rookie Jac Caglianone was born. Hill’s MLB debut was on June 15, 2005, when he pitched in relief in a game started by Greg Maddux.
6. Only five degrees of separation lie between Hill and an MLB player who was born in 1881. That’s from Cubs historian Christopher Kamka.
7. Hill also joins a shortlist of players who were the oldest to appear in a game for two franchises.
- 5: Hoyt Wilhelm (Braves, Cubs, White Sox, Angels and Dodgers)
- 3: Phil Niekro (Guardians, Yankees and Blue Jays)
- 2: Randy Johnson (Diamondbacks and Giants)
- 2: Jamie Moyer (Rockies and Phillies)
- 2: Satchel Paige (Athletics and Orioles)
- 2: Rich Hill (Rays and Royals)
