Rich Hill we hardly knew thee. No, seriously, we hardly do know thee.
Last year Hill went 11-8 and struck out 183 batters (a team best) during his first ful season with the club. To begin this season Hill has an ERA over four and has walked 18 guys in 19-2/3 innings. So, which pitcher is he?
I’m hoping the former becuase it would be a shame to see a former Michigan ball player fall from the ranks of Major League Baseball. Being a brand-spanking new Michigan alum, I kind of have a bias for Hill.
Lou Piniella, however, doesn’t. The straw that broke the camel’s back for Hill was the four walks he issued to the first six batters in the first inning of Friday night’s game against St. Louis. Piniella had enough and yanked Hill. Then he was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Now Hill must try to regain his form in the obscurity of corn fields and long bus rides. It’s worked for Hill before and it could work again. I sure hope so because I’m already depressed over the poor performance of another former Michigan ball player; J.J. Putz.
