PHOENIX − Rich Hill pulled out his phone, noticed a text from an old friend, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Rich, is that really you?’’ he wondered. “Are you still playing?’’

Indeed, it is Hill, now 44 and proudly pitching for Team USA in the Premier12 international baseball tournament, where many of his teammates could easily be his children.

This squad consists of both current and former prospects who aren’t part of any major league 40-man rosters, with Hill set to take the mound for their final Group A match against Mexico on Thursday night.

Should they win, Team USA would qualify for the Super Round the following week, with a chance to earn a medal in Tokyo.

A loss would end their tournament.

“I’ve never played on a team that won the World Series,” Hill shared with YSL News Sports during an hour-long chat in Phoenix before heading to Mexico. “But winning a gold medal while representing your country would be incredibly special.

“It would be amazing.”

For Hill, the only player in baseball history to pitch at least one game in each of the last 20 years – for 13 different teams – the dream would be to win a gold medal now, claim a World Series title in 2025, and then secure another gold medal for Team USA at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“It’s amusing; I was discussing the Olympics with my wife about four years from now,” Hill recounted. “She suggested, ‘Well, maybe you could just coach.’”

Hill, who logged three scoreless innings in Team USA’s opening match of the tournament, has always dreamt of representing his country in a baseball uniform. He has witnessed many of his friends and teammates participate in the World Baseball Classic but never received an invitation himself.

This summer, Hill informed the Team USA officials about his interest in joining the Premier12 team since he had some free time. He turned down three major league contract offers earlier in the winter and spring to coach his 12-year-old son Bryce’s Little League team in Milton, Mass.

“This was his final year in Little League,” Hill explained, having only attended four of Bryce’s Little League games in the last three years. “I couldn’t miss that. I’m grateful I didn’t. It was too significant for me.”

So, he spent the summer coaching kids in Milton, on the same field where he pitched 32 years ago, guiding the Milton Reds to the District championship game as their pitching and first base coach. After the season wrapped up, he signaled to Major League teams that he was back on the market.

“I know I might have passed on some good opportunities,” said Hill, who has a career record of 90-73 and went 8-14 with a 5.41 ERA in 2023 with the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates. “But I would do it all over again. We created wonderful memories together. Watching him play and enjoying that experience was why I stayed home.

“It turned out to be everything I wished for. I don’t regret a single thing.”

The Boston Red Sox, his childhood team, reached out with a minor-league offer in August. On August 29 at Fenway Park, he returned to the major leagues, facing the Toronto Blue Jays. He became the oldest player to pitch in the majors since 45-year-old Ichiro Suzuki played for the Seattle Mariners in 2019.

However, this made him ineligible to pitch for Team USA due to being on the Red Sox’s 40-man roster.

Yet, just 12 days later, after his fourth game, he was unexpectedly released, a stark reminder of the harsh realities of the business.

By mid-September, without any major league interest for the postseason, he contacted LaTroy Hawkins, a former teammate from two decades ago and current bullpen coach for Team USA. Hill wanted to express his interest in pitching for the team if they needed him.

“We had contacted a few players, and several had declined,” Hawkins remarked. “When Rich reached out again, I was thrilled. I asked, ‘Are you in?’ and he replied enthusiastically, ‘Yes, I’m all in.’

“It’s fantastic. Having a veteran like him is invaluable for a team like this. He naturally leads, and everyone pays attention to how he conducts himself.”

Thus, Hill found himself back on the mound, teaming up with younger players he had never met before as they trained in Phoenix ahead of the tournament, where his family also reunited with him. Team USA stands at 2-2, and their last scheduled game in pool play is on Thursday in Tepic, Mexico, hoping that a win can elevate them

*Heading into the final round in Tokyo.*

Regardless of what unfolds on Thursday, Hill expresses that he wouldn’t swap this journey for anything, looking forward to what lies ahead. He is a player who has truly earned every achievement in his career without taking shortcuts. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round of the 2002 draft after playing at the University of Michigan, his career has seen him travel from coast to coast, making 386 appearances with 13 different teams. His experience ranges from pitching for the Tigres de Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League to playing for the Long Island Ducks in the Independent League, and even starting three games in the World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and 2018. He has become one of the oldest pitchers in MLB since World War II.

“I’m unsure what the next phase of my baseball journey will be,’’ Hill stated. “However, I always want to connect with younger players to see what they’re doing and stay updated with training methods. Above all, it’s about the thrill of competition.”

Though Hill never had blazing speed during his peak, and currently doesn’t exceed 89 miles per hour, his mastery over his curveball, strategic approach, and keen in-game decisions keep him one of the fiercest competitors in baseball. It’s remarkable to have 14 years of major league experience, earn upwards of $75 million, and still have teams eager to sign you, even when you’re older than the last eight MLB general managers currently employed.

“I obviously adore baseball; I love the effort and the challenge, or I wouldn’t still be playing,’’ Hill remarked. “As for the future, I’m uncertain whether this will be my last hurrah. We may find out in a month or so.”

“I would love the chance to play another year and compete for a spot in the postseason to win a World Series. That’s the ultimate dream. I’ve come close a few times, but playing in the postseason is a unique experience—there’s truly nothing like it.”

While Hill may not have claimed a World Series ring following his back-to-back pennants with the Dodgers, he still felt a sense of joy when they secured the title this year. He excitedly kept in touch with former teammates such as Clayton Kershaw, Austin Barnes, and Kike Hernandez during the playoffs.

“It’s heartwarming to witness their joy,’’ Hill said. “Seeing others experience that feeling makes you genuinely happy for them. And deep down, you hope for another chance at that.”

“I still believe I can contribute significantly. Baseball is at a pivotal moment where we need to focus on developing starting pitchers instead of just bringing in young arms who prioritize speed. I know I can still deliver solid innings.”

“However, if this is the end for me, I can exit on my own terms, grateful for the myriad of amazing experiences I’ve had in the game.”

If Hill chooses to retire from pitching, he may easily transition into a coaching role, a front office position, player development, or even as an advisor. He is leaving all possibilities open, and many opportunities await him.

“Organizations appreciate individuals who understand what it takes to win,’’ Hill explains. “They recognize how it feels, what it looks like, and how it acts. If I enter the coaching field, I can carry that understanding with me about what it takes to build a winning roster.”

“It’s essential to understand how to create a championship-caliber team. What factors lead to bringing certain players in, and why some might be left out. Through observing numerous outstanding teams, I’ve learned how these dynamics work, and where they don’t.”

“You can have the most talented players, but it’s crucial to have the right people in place to achieve success, which often surpasses raw talent.”

Hill aspires to be that key difference maker in the future, yet reflecting on his journey over the past 20 years, he acknowledges that his influence has already made a lasting impression on others.

“I’m immensely thankful he’s here,’’ Hawkins said, “because he has accomplished everything possible in this sport except for pitching for Team USA. While I know he longs for that World Series ring, he now has the opportunity to earn a gold medal.”

“And I’ve told him, many more individuals hold World Series rings than those who possess a gold medal.”