Jeremy Affeldt Annouces Retirement

[SoxJox]

After a 14-year career with the Royals, Rockies and Giants.
 
With a playoff ERA of 0.86, only 2 pitchers have done better: Mariano Rivera and Harry Brecheen (Cardinals/Browns, '40, and '43-'53).
 
And 5 things he won't miss:
 
5. The City of "Brotherly Love":

 
Philly is a great sports town, with passionate fans and a palpable energy. The problem, though, is that the city, more than any other I've played in, seems to condone and almost revel in its fans crossing the line. Nowhere else in this country—again, based on my experience as a 14-year major leaguer and the conversations I've had with other players—is the opposition treated in such a repeatedly vile and borderline threatening manner.

4. Wrigley Field

 
the player facilities are an abomination. Not just by today's standards, where players often find themselves taking advantage of luxurious clubhouses with every modern amenity imaginable, but by any era's standards.

3. The travel

 
In the end, the life of the professional athlete is the life we have chosen, and each of us is blessed to have been given the opportunity to compete at the highest levels and get paid for it. But that doesn't mean that the life doesn't wear you down over time, which is precisely why I will be staying in my own zip code for a few months after the final game of our season—and my career—this Sunday afternoon.

2. The drug tests

 
Thankfully, the next time I pee in a cup, it will be for my MLB pension physical two decades from now.

1. The incessant showboating

 
the recent trend of "look at me" machismo, mostly via these elaborate, annoying and overindulgent hand signals and signs, irks me so much. Yes, let's celebrate the game of baseball, and, if warranted, celebrate our on-field accomplishments with genuine shows of emotion. When you smack a double into the gap to take the lead in the eighth inning, by all means, pump your fist and praise your maker in the sky. But when you flash self-congratulatory signs after a meaningless first-inning single—or, even worse, a walk—you're clowning yourself and not representing your club or your teammates very well.

 
 

 

[DJnVa]

Affeldt has earned more than $40 million in salary.
 
Mama, teach your babies to throw left-handed.

 

[Al Zarilla]

Affeldt is a good guy too, always giving of his time for charity, including his own foundation. He's also a good speaker and has a great sense of humor. He could be an excellent color guy on broadcasts/telecasts, if he wanted to pursue that. 

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

The SI.com piece was from a longer article that is well worth reading. https://the-cauldron.com/world-champion-pitcher-wins-by-embracing-failure-6c2d871062d8