Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber announced his retirement on social media. Ending a 13-year career, Kluber won his first Cy Young Award with Cleveland in 2014 going 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA. He won it again in 2017, finishing with a 18-4 record with a 2.25 ERA.
“With sincere appreciation, I am announcing my retirement from Major League Baseball, concluding a remarkable 13-season Major League Baseball journey,” Kluber posted on Instagram. “I am deeply grateful for the support of numerous individuals and entities that profoundly influenced my path.”
He goes on to thank the five clubs that he played for, the MLBPA, his representatives at Wasserman, various club staff members, teammates and family. “As I take my leave from the pitcher’s mound, my passion for baseball remains unwavering. I eagerly anticipate exploring opportunities to continue contributing to the sport in a different capacity. To all who have been involved with my baseball odyssey, thank you for crafting an indelible and unforgettable ride. For all of those that will be part of my next chapter in baseball, I look forward to passing on what I have learned to the next generation of MLB players.”
Corey Kluber has retired after 13 seasons in the majors, he announced on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/086IxjRnBn
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 9, 2024
AL Cy Young Winner Decides to End MLB Career
The now 37-year-old was a fourth round pick of the San Diego Padres in 2007. Kluber went to Cleveland in a three-team deal at the 2010 trade deadline. The St. Louis Cardinals received Jake Westbrook from Cleveland and prospect Nick Greenwood from the Padres. San Diego got Ryan Ludwick from the Cardinals while Cleveland landed Kluber.
As a prospect, Kluber was a late bloomer, picking up steam in early 2012. He broke out in 2013 when he threw 147 1/3 innigns in 24 starts with two relief appearances. Kluber allowed 3.85 earned runs per nine innings that year, combining his 22.4% strikeout rate with a 5.4% walk rate and 45.5% ground ball rate.
From 2014 to 2018, Kluber as one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball alongside Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. The right-hander exceeded 200 innings and 220 strikeouts in that span. Kluber ranked second in the majors in innings pitched, fourth in ERA (2.85), third in strikeouts and third in fWAR. He’s one of 222 pitchers in league history to win the AL Cy Young Award on multiple occasions. He also finished third in the balloting in 2016 and 2018.
Postseason Success and Injuries
Kluber’s postseason peformance in 2016 was one for the ages. Cleveland was absent of two members of their rotation as Kluber logged a 0.89 ERA in his first five starts. Despite twice pitching on short rest, he ran out of gas in Game 7 of the World Series. He ranks third in Cleveland history with 1,461 strikeouts only behind Bob Feller and Sam McDowell. He matched Feller’s franchise record with 18 strikeouts in a nine-inning game on May 13, 2015.
Cleveland flipped him to the Texas Rangers after the 2019 season in exchange for Emmanuel Clase and Delino DeShields Jr.. However, a shoulder injury limited Kluber to only one inning with Texas. He bounced around to the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox. On May 19, 2021, Kluber tossed the only no-hitter of his career against the Rangers.
Photo Credit: © Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
