Former Cy Young Award Winner Retires

 

It wasn't hard to see this one coming, but former Chicago Cubs Cy Young Award winner and 12-year major league veteran right-hander Jake Arrieta has called it quits. 

Jake Arrieta is Finished Playing Baseball: “It’s Just My Time” - https://t.co/lwxwW53BXr pic.twitter.com/jDwpb6GpeO

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) April 18, 2022

He told Philadelphia's Pardon My Take podcast: “I haven’t signed the papers, but I’m done,” Arrieta said. “It’s time for me to step away from the game. At some point, the uniform goes to somebody else and it’s just my time.” 

The 36-year-old Arrieta had a rough time of it in 2021, recording a 6.88 ERA in 20 starts for the Cubs, before embarrassing himself off the field as well in a post-game interview, leading the Cubs to waive him. 

Arrieta wound up giving it one more shot with the San Diego Padres, where he got lit up in 4 starts for an outlandish 10.95 ERA, before being dumped by the Pads as well.

Things went much better for Arrieta earlier in his career, peaking in 2015 when he was named Cy Young Award winner in the National League, going 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA, leading the majors in wins and complete games, while surrendering a minuscule 0.4 home runs per 9 innings (also a league-best).

In 2016, he made his one All-Star appearance, while going 18-8, and helping the Cubs go on to win their first World Series since 1908. 

From there he moved on to the Philadelphia Phillies, where his career started to wane from 2018 through 2020. 

He finishes with a career 3.98 ERA and 115 wins. 

Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports