Rich Hill Reports to Red Sox Camp Following Son’s Death
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Returning to normalcy would be difficult, but pitcher Rich Hill took the first step on Wednesday by reporting to Boston Red Sox spring training after the death of his young son.
According to ESPNBoston.com, Hill announced on Thursday that his son, Brooks, had tragically died.
We had a baby on December 26th, and he was born with various difficulties that we had to confront and deal with during our time at Mass General. Unfortunately, he succumbed and died. He taught us a lot of things, but things didn’t work out.
Hill and his family have received an outpouring of support on social media since word of his son’s death surfaced.
Curt Schilling, the legendary Red Sox pitcher, was among the first to express his condolences on Twitter:
The Associated Press’ Tom Withers followed suit, offering a ringing endorsement of Hill as a person:
T.J. Zuppe, who covered Hill and the Cleveland Indians on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland last season, had some kind words for Hill as well.
Hill, who pitched for the Indians in 2013, signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox this offseason. The 33-year-old lefty specialist spent parts of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 campaigns with Boston and is hoping to earn a spot on the roster.
Per ESPNBoston.com, Hill believes that he has a great chance to make an impact in Fort Myers, Fla. and is hopeful that it will lead to a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Excited to be here, to be playing baseball again and get back into the normalcy of my profession and to be around a great group of guys and to just take that next step … I fully feel that the opportunity is here. I think that was also with a blend of the opportunity that is here and obviously with our family situation that we had. With the opportunity that is here, (I want) to make the most of it and do everything I can on a daily basis to perform.
Hill certainly has an uphill climb as he grieves the untimely death of his son. He is also coming off a difficult 2013 season that saw him post a 6.28 ERA in 63 appearances with the Tribe.
Perhaps his confidence and form will return now that he is back with the Red Sox. Hill only pitched 31.2 innings over three seasons with Boston, but he was hugely successful with an ERA of 1.14 and well over one strikeout per inning.
Most importantly, though, Hill feels like the time he and his family spend together in Fort Myers will be special in the wake of tragedy.
My wife has been extremely strong. Our son, who is 2 1/2, is with us here down in Florida, so we are going to enjoy our time here and obviously make the most of the opportunity that’s here to present itself to play baseball.
Baseball is merely a game in the broad scheme of things, but it clearly means a great deal to Hill. Hopefully, some success on the mound will help with the grieving process to some extent.
Quality left-handed relievers are always in high demand, so Hill understands that throughout spring training, all he has to do is go out and execute his pitches.
If he succeeds, Hill will be a member of the Boston bullpen in 2014. That would certainly be a pleasant ending to a difficult offseason for Hill and his family.
