Alex Wooden introduced his retirement in a social media put up on Friday afternoon. The 34-year-old southpaw steps away after an MLB profession that spanned components of 12 seasons and included an All-Star nod and a World Sequence title.
“For over half my life, each choice I’ve made has centered round how it could impression 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 seven postseasons, profitable a World Sequence, and incomes an All-Star choice — I by no means may’ve imagined it could end up this manner,” Wooden wrote.
“Baseball was my past love. Exterior of God and my household, nothing else has formed me the way in which this recreation has. Even scripting this, I can’t assist however smile desirous about how a lot I nonetheless love the sport in any case this time.” Wooden goes on to thank his teammates, coaches, former groups, household and brokers in a press release that readers can see within the put up.
Wooden attended the College of Georgia and was a second-round decide by the Braves in 2012. He was within the massive leagues lower than a yr later. Wooden turned in a 3.13 ERA in 77 2/3 innings in a swing function in the course of the ’13 season. He helped the Braves to a 96-win season and an NL East title, making his first two playoff appearances in a Division Sequence loss to the Dodgers. He posted a 2.78 ERA throughout 171 2/3 innings a yr later, seemingly establishing himself as a long-term rotation piece in Atlanta.
That’s not how issues performed out. Wooden was carrying a 3.54 ERA over 20 begins the next yr when the Braves made the regrettable choice to ship him to the Dodgers in a 13-player, three-team commerce to get then-prospect Hector Olivera. (Olivera went on to bat .245 in 30 main league video games earlier than a suspension for violating the league’s home violence coverage ended his profession.) Wooden handled just a few accidents however had a powerful run in Los Angeles, highlighted by a profession yr in 2017.
That season, the southpaw received a career-high 16 video games whereas posting a 2.72 earned run common in 27 common season appearances. Wooden earned his lone All-Star nod and completed ninth in NL Cy Younger voting. He added 12 1/3 frames of four-run ball with 13 strikeouts within the postseason. It was the primary of consecutive seasons wherein he performed a giant function within the Dodgers profitable the pennant. They returned to the Fall Basic in 2018, a season wherein Wooden recorded a 3.68 ERA over 151 2/3 innings.
Wooden’s first stint in Dodger blue ended after their second straight World Sequence defeat. Los Angeles packaged him alongside Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Kyle Farmer to the Reds for prospects Josiah Grey and Jeter Downs (whom they’d later embrace in respective trades for Max Scherzer/Trea Turner and Mookie Betts). Wooden was a rental, and his solely season in Cincinnati was marred by again issues.
He returned to L.A. the next winter on a buy-low $4MM free agent pact. Shoulder bother mixed with the shortened schedule restricted him to 12 2/3 common season innings, however Wooden contributed 6 2/3 frames of one-run ball in October because the Dodgers went on to win the World Sequence. He signed with the Giants on a $3MM contract that winter. That proved an adept pickup, as Wooden was capable of make 26 begins whereas working to a 3.83 ERA for San Francisco’s stunning 107-win group. He labored 4 2/3 scoreless in opposition to the Dodgers in his lone playoff begin, although the Giants got here up simply brief in a five-game Division Sequence.
Wooden re-signed with San Francisco on a two-year, $25MM free agent deal that didn’t pan out. He had an ERA north of 5.00 in 2022 and struggled with accidents the next season. He gave it one other go on an $8.5MM contract with the A’s final yr. His physique once more couldn’t maintain up, as he solely made 9 begins earlier than struggling a rotator cuff damage that required season-ending surgical procedure. It’s an unlucky ending however hardly diminishes Wooden’s total physique of labor.
He tallied greater than 1200 innings with a 3.78 ERA between 5 groups. Wooden received 77 video games and recorded greater than 1100 strikeouts. He was a strong playoff performer as properly, posting a 3.11 mark in 37 2/3 innings divided throughout seven seasons. Accidents restricted the amount, particularly later in his profession, however Wooden was a high quality mid-rotation starter when wholesome all through his 20s. He has a World Sequence ring and picked up over $60MM in earnings, in accordance with Baseball Reference. MLBTR congratulates Wooden on a formidable profession and needs him one of the best in retirement.
Picture courtesy of USA At this time Sports activities.
