Pitcher Hill of Dodgers living Hollywood story
LOS ANGELES — Rich Hill is living a Hollywood story.
Twenty-six months ago, he was pitching for the Long Island Ducks in the independent Atlantic League.
Thirteen months ago, he was pulled from a perfect game after seven innings because of his pitch count.
Two months ago, another perfect-game bid was spoiled by a leadoff error in the ninth.
And tonight, the 37-year-old left-hander will be on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers starting Game 2 of the World Series.
"A couple years ago, I was using a bucket in independent ball as a toilet," he recalled last weekend.
Script writers seeking a follow-up to “Bull Durham,” “Field of Dreams” and “The Natural” need look no farther than Dodger Stadium, just 7 miles down the 101 from the Walk of Fame. Hill will take on the Houston Astros, who start Justin Verlander, the MVP of the AL Championship Series.
After a decade in the major leagues, Hill began 2015 with the Washington Nationals' Triple-A team at Syracuse, New York, and was released in June. He signed with the Ducks, struck out seven over five hitless innings on Aug. 2 against the Bridgeport Bluefish, then a week later struck out 14 over six scoreless innings versus the Camden Riversharks.
"I think it's something that people will think of and say, wow, it's just a bunch of guys that are washed up or guys that didn't get an opportunity to make it," he explained Tuesday.
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