Jeff Suppan is hanging up his cleats in respectable fashion.
Suppan, who last pitched in the major leagues in 2012, announced his retirement Thursday. The 39-year-old purposefully made the announcement at 2 p.m. Pacific Time on Jan. 2 as a way to honor his late mother, Kathleen, who died at that time exactly six years ago, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. Jan. 2 also marks the pitcher’s birthday.
“After 17 major-league seasons, I’ve squeezed everything out of my ability,” Suppan said. “I am both honored and blessed to have played the game with some of the greatest teammates and coaches. Baseball will always hold a special place in my heart and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life.”
Suppan spent time with the Red Sox, Royals, Cardinals, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Pirates and Padres during his 17-year career. His best seasons came with St. Louis from 2004 to 2006, when he twice won 16 games and made some key playoff starts. Suppan was named the MVP of the 2006 NLCS after posting a 0.60 ERA in 15 innings as the Cardinals defeated the Mets in seven games.
Suppan, originally a second-round draft pick of the Red Sox in 1993, ends his big-league career with a 140-146 record and 4.70 ERA in 448 appearances (417 starts). He won at least 10 games in nine of 10 seasons from 1999 to 2008.
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Photo via Facebook/Jeff Suppan
