Former Pirates pitcher announces retirement after winning World Series with Dodgers
Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Daniel Hudson knew he was in the twilight of his career entering the 2024 MLB season, and Hollywood couldn't have scripted a better ending for him.
The 37-year-old, who had often been the subject of retirement rumors in recent years due to his advanced age and injury history, signed a one-year, $2 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. As it turned out, Hudson gambling on himself was the right move; Los Angeles went on to defeat the New York Yankees in the World Series, and Hudson announced his retirement rather offhandedly following the Dodgers' series-clinching, 7-6 comeback victory in Game 5.
“This was the only reason I came back — to go out on top,”Hudson told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “And that’s what’s happening.”
Hudson didn't exactly end on a high note, however. He made seven appearances for the Dodgers in the 2024 postseason and was 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA and five earned runs over six innings. Four of the five runs he allowed came in Game 4 of the World Series, when he gave up a grand slam to Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe. Unfortunately, that would end up being the final image of the final outing of his MLB career.
Former Pirates pitcher Daniel Hudson retires after winning World Series with Dodgers
Hudson spent just one season of his 15-year MLB career with the Pirates in 2017, when he went 2-7 with a 4.38 ERA in 71 appearances. He also struck out 66 batters over 61.2 innings pitched and tied his career-best of 21 holds during his stint in Pittsburgh.
Hudson was originally selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Old Dominion University in Virginia. In addition to Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington and Pittsburgh, he also pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays. All told, Hudson posted a career ERA of 3.74 with 817 strikeouts over 855 1/3 innings for seven teams in his 15 MLB seasons.
The World Series win with the Dodgers marks the second of Hudson's career, as he won his first with the Washington Nationals in 2019. The veteran right-hander is joined by two other former Pirates pitchers – starter Tyler Glasnow and reliever Brent Honeywell Jr. – who also won World Series rings with the Dodgers this year.
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