Is Pirates hurler Rich Hill destined to join a select group of MLB pitchers?

On June 9, 43-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Rich Hill got his sixth win of the season over the New York Mets. Hill pitched seven innings in the Pirates 14-7 win, throwing 119 pitches. The 19-year left-handed veteran upped his season record to 6-5 with not only his longest outing of the 2023 season, but his 119 pitches were the second-most of his career … just one pitch short of the 120 pitches in a September 11 game in 2006 as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

With six wins already in the 2023 campaign, Hill could be joining a unique group of pitchers if he can get to 10 wins for the season. A 10th win this season would make Hill the 10th pitcher in MLB history to have 10 or more wins in a season at age 43 or older. The last pitcher aged 43 or older to win 10 or more games in a season was in 2016 when Bartolo Colon (who also hit home runs) won 15 games for the New York Mets at age 43.

MLB pitchers with most seasons with 10+ wins at age 43 or older

Phil Niekro won 10 or more games five times at age 43 or older, most in MLB history. Here is a list of the nine pitchers who have won 10 or more games in a season at age 43 or older.

5-Phil Niekro
4-Jamie Moyer
3-Jack Quinn
2-Nolan Ryan
1-Bartolo Colon, Randy Johnson, Tommy John, Gaylord Perry, Satchel Paige

Hill has won 10 or more games four times in his career, the last being in 2018 when he went 11-5 for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also went 12-8 in 2017, 12-5 in 2016, and was 11-8 in 2007 as a member of the Cubs staff.

As mentioned above, Hill threw 119 pitches in the June 9 win over the Mets. It was the most pitches thrown in a game by a 43-year-old pitcher (or older) since 2011. On June 14, 2011, Tim Wakefield, at age 44, threw 119 pitches for the Boston Red Sox in a start where he was the losing pitcher with seven innings pitched. Hill became only the seventh pitcher in MLB history to throw 119 or more pitches in a game at age 43. The others: Charlie Hough, Nolan Ryan, Tommy John, Phil Niekro, Jamie Moyer and Tim Wakefield.

Hill’s seven innings pitched in the June 9 game also made him the 32nd pitcher in MLB history to throw seven innings or more in a game at age 43 or older. He was the first pitcher to go seven innings at age 43+ since 2018 when Bartolo Colon hurled seven innings for the Texas Rangers in an 11-4 win over the Seattle Mariners on August 7.