All-Star Reliever Wade Davis Retires After 13 Seasons in MLB

Wade Davis during his time with the Cubs
Wade Davis. Photo by Del Mecum/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9068049ch)

Veteran All-Star reliever Wade Davis won’t be part of the free-agent market this offseason. Instead of pursuing a new deal, Davis opted to ride into the sunset and retire from professional baseball.

The news was announced on Wednesday by the Kansas City Royals, with whom Davis spent five out of his 13 seasons in the MLB. The 36-year-old played 40 games in Royals’ uniform in 2021 and had a 0-3 record with two saves, 6.75 ERA, and 38 strikeouts.

Royals president of baseball operations Dayton Moore issued a statement after the news became official and credited Davis for his role in the franchise’s 2015 World Series run. Davis was the one who recorded the final three outs in Game 5 against the New York Mets to give Kansas City the title.

“Wade, first of all, is a first-class person and first-class competitor,” Moore said. “Without him and his contributions to our pitching staff, I think it’s safe to say we wouldn’t have won a world championship.”

Besides playing for the Royals on two separate occasions, Wade Davis also suited up for the Tampa Bay Rays, the Chicago Cubs, and the Colorado Rockies. He has three All-Star nods while leading the National League in 2018. Davis’ career stats include a 63-55 record, 3.94 ERA, 929 strikeouts, and 141 saves.

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