Former All-Star closer Wade Davis has retired from Major League Baseball after 13 seasons. The Kansas City Royals, for whom Davis pitched from 2013-16 and again last season, announced Davis' decision on Wednesday:
Competitor. Closer. Champion.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) November 24, 2021
Congratulations on your retirement, Wader. pic.twitter.com/uIZ6uBTiGc
Davis, 36, initially broke into the majors as a starting pitcher with the Rays, who made him a third-round draft pick in 2004. After parts of three seasons as a starter, the Rays made him a reliever in 2012. Following a December 2012 trade that sent Davis to the Royals, he resumed being a primary starter in 2013, albeit with very little success.
By the 2014 season, Davis was a high-leverage reliever for good. Over the next three seasons, he'd pitch to a 1.18 ERA in 182 2/3 innings with 234 strikeouts. Along the way, he served as the high-leverage bullpen anchor for a Royals team that won the pennant in 2014 and the World Series in 2015. Throw in his successful season as Cubs closer in 2017, and Davis racked up three All-Star appearances and two top-10 finishes in the Cy Young balloting.
In 2018, Davis led the NL in saves as a member of the Rockies. Over the last three seasons, however, Davis struggled badly, including a 6.96 ERA in 40 games for the Royals this past season. Injuries no doubt played a role in those struggles. In all, Davis compiled 141 saves in his career and put up a 3.25 ERA in 469 relief appearances.
