Red Sox pitcher Rich Hill carries heavy heart

Nothing that ever happens on a baseball field will ever be as tough as what  Red Sox pitcher Rich Hill and his wife gone through.   The left handed reliever joined his teammates yesterday, just 10 days after the death of his infant son.   The baby was born on December 26 with multiple physical issues.

“Unfortunately he succumbed. He’s past,”  Hill said yesterday.  “He taught us a lot of things. Unfortunately things didn’t work out.”

Hill was greeted by teammates with hugs and words of encouragement.  Many hope the the familiar  rythyms  of baseball will give Hill and his family comfort.

Hill is from Miton, MA, and a gig reason he signed a minor league contract to return to the Red Sox was to be closer to his family.  He also considers the Red Sox family and says their support has been terrific.

“The Red Sox have been tremendous through this whole part of our life,” Hill told the Boston Globe.  ” Extended family at Mass General Hospital, everyone there has been tremendous. The doctors, nurses, and everyone.”

Caitlin and Rich Hill have a 2-year old named Brice.  The family flew together to Florida on Wednesday night.

“My wife has been incredibly strong, ” Hill told reporters.  ” We’re going to enjoy our time here and make the most of the opportunity that’s here to play baseball.”