This player’s historic comeback is drawing comparisons to ex-Rangers great

Some athletes throw in the towel when they face Father Time, while others dig in their heels, determined to go as deep into the fight as is physically possible. Rich Hill is the latter. The 45-year-old pitcher who started his pro career in 2005 has just signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals in an effort to return to the majors for another try. In the process, he's taking a page out of a former Texas Rangers' star's book.

He is joining his fourteenth organization and would be the oldest pitcher in the league, which former Texas Ranger Jamie Moyer knows a little about. When the soft-tossing Moyer finally ended his playing career with the Colorado Rockies in 2012, He was just a month away from turning 50 years old. He had been the oldest pitcher in the league for years and still managed to get the job done when most other players are becoming empty-nesters and taking up less strenuous games like golf.

Rich Hill follows a familiar Texas Rangers path

Moyer was with the Rangers during the Bobby Valentine era for just two seasons in 1989 and 1990 and made 25 starts, putting together a modest line of 6-15 with a 4.70 ERA. Over his career, however, Moyer effectively used an assortment of off-speed pitches that ranged from 70-90 miles per hour, looking to keep hitters off-balance and unable to barrel the ball.

Though never really viewed as an elite thrower, Moyer managed to have a very nice career, racking up 269 wins against 209 losses with an ERA of 4.25. He had two 20-win seasons in 2001 and 2003 with the Seattle Mariners and won 16 games as a 45-year-old with the Phillies.

Hill will have to measure his success differently, as the career reliever will be looking to make the Royals' 25-man roster coming out of the bullpen. So keep an eye out for the veteran left-hander as he looks to last another round against the undefeated Father Time. And remember that after Moyer left the Texas Rangers, some thought his career was nearly over, and then it just kept going.