Former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star and nine-year MLB veteran Ross Stripling has chosen to retire at the age of 35. Stripling spent last season with the Athletics, pitching to the tune of a 6.01 ERA in 85 1/3 innings.
"After 13 seasons and full of tremendous pride and gratitude, it's time to hang up the cleats. I never could have imagined the experiences and memories I'd be a part of. They exceeded every hope that my younger self could have dreamt for my baseball career," Stripling wrote in a statement. "It never could have been possible without my family and friends. I also want to give a huge thank you to all my coaches and teammates over the years. I had so much love and support along the way, and I'm thankful to everyone that was a part of it in any form or fashion. All of you helped me be the best baseball player I could be. This has been an unbelievable honor, and I feel incredibly lucky to be so fulfilled and content with leaving the game behind. Now, l'm excited to be home and begin the next chapter of life with my amazing family."
Stripling began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, making his first big league appearance in 2016. During his four and a half seasons with the Dodgers, he held a 3.68 ERA over 420 2/3 innings. The righty earned his only All-Star appearance in 2018 as a member of the Dodgers.
Stripling pitched in three games during the 2017 World Series, giving up no runs over two innings.
He spent the next four-and-a-half seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants and Athletics before opting to retire this season.
