The 2014 MLB season, was a year filled with many different story-lines but one of the biggest of all was Derek Jeter’s retirement tour. However, lost in the shuffle of Re2pect were the retirements of various other players whose careers came to an end in 2014. Several players finished out the season like Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn while other players had their careers come to an end during the season like Rick Ankiel and Eric Chavez. The list of players who were at one point among the best players at their respective positions who retired in 2014 was extensive.
What About Us? 2014 MLB Retirees not Named Derek Jeter
Paul Konerko
Konerko debuted in 1997 with the Dodgers, but spent most of his career with the White Sox manning first base for Chicago 1999-2014, and making the All-Star Team six times. Konerko was never among the best of the best defensively at his position but was very good with his bat. Between 1999 and 2013 Konerko only posted one season that was below average offensively according to wRC+. Among all first baseman during Konerko’s he ranks in the top five in home runs with 439, RBI with 1412, and runs with 1162. Konerko’s career is truly under-appreciated outside of Chicago, but should not be forgotten.
Adam Dunn
During his career, which spanned from 2001 until this season, Dunn was one of the best power hitters in baseball. While he struck out often, Dunn was an elite offensive threat and run producer. In his career, he only had one season where he was a below average offensive threat according to wRC+. Dunn’s real value came from his power. He hit over 40 home runs six times, including five straight seasons from 2004-2008. He also drove in at least 100 runs in six of seven seasons between 2004 and 2010. Dunn also named an All-Star twice in his career.
Eric Chavez
Before injuries robbed him of what could’ve been a fantastic career, Chavez was one of the best third basemen in the game. He was a key part of dominant Athletics teams from the early 2000s and Chavez’s career looked like it could be heading to superstar levels. From 2000 until 2006 Chavez hit over 20 homeruns in every season and drove in over 100 runs in four of those seven seasons. Chavez was also among the best defensive third baseman in the game peaking at 11 and 12 defensive runs saved in 2005 and 2006 respectively. From 2001 until 2006 Chavez won six straight American League Gold Glove Awards. Chavez’s career impact will always remain a “what if” due to his extensive injury history, but when healthy he was amongst the best of the best third basemen in his era.
Josh Beckett
Throughout his career that included stops in Florida, Boston, and Los Angeles Beckett was dominant in stretches. A two-time All-Star, Beckett won over 15 games four out of five years from 2005-2009. A two-time World Series Champion, Beckett was also the World Series MVP in 2003 with the Marlins and the ALCS MVP in 2007 with the Red Sox. In the 2007 postseason, Beckett was dominant, winning all four of his starts and finishing with an ERA of 1.20. While his career saw a series of ups and downs, when he was at his best Beckett was a threat to dominate any game he pitched.
Carlos Zambrano
Although he hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2012, Zambrano officially announced his retirement earlier this year. Zambrano’s career fell off in recent years, but he was a three-time All-Star and one of the most dominant pitchers in all of baseball from 2003 until 2008. 2004 was his best season, as he put up an ERA of 2.75 and won 16 games. Zambrano was also very well known for his offensive contributions hitting 24 home runs over the course of his career.
Ryan Dempster
Similar to Zambrano, Dempster hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2013. Before this season, Dempster announced that he was taking a year off to spend time with his family. Recently however, Dempster officially decided to hang up the cleats and retired from baseball. During his career, Dempster made two All-Star teams. What made his career so interesting was that Dempster was both a starter and a closer at different points. Dempster won 132 games and saved 87 during a long career in which he pitched for five different teams. He won over 15 games three different times. His best season was in 2008 as he won 17 games and posted a 2.96 ERA.
While none of these players had the historic career that Derek Jeter had, their careers officially coming to end is something that deserves to be honored. At one point or another all six of these players were amongst the best in baseball. They were not the only ones to hang up the cleats up for good in 2014 with Lyle Overbay, Rick Ankiel, and Octavio Dotel among notable other major leaguers who walked away.
Thank you for reading. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest in sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
