Anyone who has had the pleasure – and it is every bit that – to speak with 39-year-old Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill knows that he ‘Gets it.’

And why wouldn’t he?

The Boston, Massachusetts native and 2002 fourth-round draft pick by the Chicago Cubs out of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor has played at baseball’s highest level for 14 seasons. This is a very long time in a business with a ridiculously high turnover rate that is based entirely on success, especially for pitchers.

But it has taken the extremely popular lefty and devoted family man all 14 of those seasons to finally be on what he considers the best team he has ever played for over his remarkable career.

Hill spoke with reporters following his (delayed) season debut on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, having begun the season on the Injured list for a strained left knee.

“To me, an incredible team win that defined the relentless approach we have,” Hill said, following the Dodgers exciting 7-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete a three-game sweep. “We could have easily packed it in. We already won two, it’s Sunday, we’re down (5-1) and let’s just get on the road. But we buckled in and we battled and the bats came together. [Max] Muncy coming through was great. Just the overall approach to keep fighting. I don’t know where this game is going to sit the rest of the season, but to me, I feel as a whole it’s a pretty defining game.

“I’ve been around a little bit, part of many rosters, and this is probably the best team I’ve ever been around,” Hill added. “It’s exciting. I know the fans are excited and we’re starting to hit our stride.”

Hill’s batterymate Russell Martin, who himself was just activated from the IL for lower back inflammation, was very impressed with Hill’s season debut.

“Rich’s fastball was staying in the lane and the breaking ball in the later innings, he was really tough to square up,” Martin said.

Yes, Rich Hill ‘Gets it.’

…which is a very good thing for the rest of us.

Play Ball!

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