Dodgers’ Daniel Hudson retires after a 2nd World Series title – Whittier Daily News

NEW YORK — Daniel Hudson is going out on top. Just the way he wanted it.

The 37-year-old relief pitcher confirmed in the Dodgers’ celebratory clubhouse on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium that the 2024 season would be his last. He joins outfielder Kevin Kiermaier on this year’s Dodgers team in calling it a career. Kiermaier announced his retirement plans earlier this season, before he was acquired by the Dodgers from the Toronto Blue Jays.

“This is the only reason I came back, for this feeling right here,” Hudson said after the Dodgers’ Game 5 win. “This is the only reason I came back. I wanted to go out on top and that’s what’s happening.”

A fifth-round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox out of Old Dominion in 2008, Hudson forged a 15-year big-league career against all odds. He twice had Tommy John surgery, ending his days as a starter and had two knee injuries with the Dodgers that cost him more time.

A reliever for most of his career, Hudson played for seven teams including two stints with the Dodgers. The highlight of his career came in 2019 when he closed out the Washington Nationals’ World Series victory.

Hudson finishes with a 65-45 career record with 43 saves and a 3.74 ERA. This season with the Dodgers, he made 65 appearances (his highest since 2019) with a 3.00 ERA and 10 saves, tying his career-high. In the postseason, he made seven appearances and allowed five runs in six innings.

FERNANDO STATUE

Fans of recently deceased Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela have started a petition at change.org asking the Dodgers to erect a statue of Valenzuela at the stadium.