Sean Doolittle is officially retiring his cleats after 11 seasons in the big leagues.
The relief pitcher, who pitched for the Athletics, Nationals, Mariners and Reds, said he was leaving the game with a “full stomach.”
“Now, after 11 incredible seasons in the sport I love, I can say with gratitude and heart that I am retiring from baseball.” Doolittle shared in a statement Posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Doolittle was a solid late-game reliever, posting 112 saves and a 3.20 ERA in his career.
A first-round pick of the Athletics in 2007, the southpaw debuted in 2012 and quickly became one of baseball’s most reliable relievers, earning him two All-Star selections (2014, 2018).
Doolittle spent the first five-and-a-half years of his career in Oakland, and in a memo he told Army farm director Keith Liepman and pitching coach Garvin Alston that he never gave up despite near injuries. It was highly praised. It derailed his career.
The left-hander joined the Nationals in 2017, where he served as the primary closer, saving at least 20 games in three consecutive seasons.
In 2019, after a thrilling seven-game series against the Astros, the Nationals won the World Series for the first time in franchise history, and pitched in 55 games, the most in the league.
He was a staple in the bullpen that postseason, pitching 10 1/3 innings and allowing just two earned runs.
“Nuts fans. Where do I even begin? From the moment I was traded here, you welcomed my wife and me to your city and your team. “So we decided to make Washington, D.C. our forever home,” he said. “The 2019 World Series title will always be the highlight of my career because we were able to share it with you all.
“Words cannot express how grateful we are for your support while we are in Washington, D.C.”
Doolittle spent 2021 in both Seattle and Cincinnati, joking that this time was a “gap year” until he finishes his career in D.C. in 2022.
“I would also like to thank the Reds and Mariners for taking me on a gap year and increasing my chances of joining the Immaculate Grid. I loved my time in both cities and I feel that my experience in baseball has been enriched because you have given me the opportunity to continue my career with two great organizations.”
Doolittle will be honored by the Nationals Friday night in Washington.
