Former Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Alex Wooden introduced his retirement from Main League Baseball on Friday, ending a 12-season profession that included a 2017 All-Star choice and a 2020 World Collection championship.
Saying his choice through Instagram, Wooden wrote:
“Right now, with immense gratitude, I’m saying my retirement from Main League Baseball. For over half my life, each choice I’ve made has centered round how it might influence my baseball profession. I’ve given each ounce of myself in pursuit of my lifelong dream of changing into a giant leaguer. Enjoying 12 years within the present, reaching 7 postseasons, profitable a World Collection, and incomes an All-Star choice — I by no means might’ve imagined it might end up this manner.
Baseball was my old flame. Exterior of God and my household, nothing else has formed me the best way this recreation has. Even penning this, I can’t assist however smile enthusiastic about how a lot I nonetheless love the sport in spite of everything this time.”
The Dodgers honored Wooden on X, writing: “Congratulations Alex on a memorable profession! Thanks on your contributions to the 2020 World Collection championship crew and representing the Dodgers as an All-Star.”
Wooden, 34, final pitched in 2024 with the then-Oakland Athletics, recording a 1-3 file, a 5.26 ERA, and a 1.78 WHIP in 9 begins earlier than shoulder surgical procedure ended his season. Over his profession, the Charlotte, N.C., native compiled a 77-68 file with a 3.78 ERA in 278 video games (211 begins) for the Atlanta Braves (2013-15), Dodgers (2015-18, 2020), Cincinnati Reds (2019), San Francisco Giants (2021-23), and Athletics (2024). He earned greater than $62 million in wage over his profession.
Drafted within the second spherical by the Braves in 2012 out of Georgia, Wooden debuted with Atlanta in 2013 and was traded to Los Angeles in 2015 in a three-team deal. His finest season got here in 2017, when he opened the yr 10-0 and completed 16-3 with a 2.72 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a top-10 end in NL Cy Younger voting. That postseason, he posted a 2.92 ERA whereas serving to the Dodgers safe their first pennant since 1988.
Wooden returned to the Dodgers in 2020, making 4 postseason appearances, together with beginning Recreation 6 of the World Collection, as Los Angeles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 to clinch its first championship in 32 years. He was a part of seven postseason groups throughout his profession.