They say the lifespan of an MLB reliever is not particularly long.
That’s actually the case most of the time.
However, every now and then, there are a few privileged arms that can endure the wear and tear of a long season year after year.
He is no longer in the majors, but Fernando Rodney certainly qualifies for that description.
From 2002 to 2019, he kept himself on an MLB roster and actually had a marvelous career in The Show, with a 3.80 ERA, 327 saves, and 943 strikeouts.
Since 2020, Rodney has been pitching in independent circuits and the Mexican league.
No matter what, he is also an option to pitch in his native Dominican Republic.
This year, at 46 years old, he is running it back with the Gigantes del Cibao of the Lidom (Liga Dominicana de Beisbol, or Dominican Baseball League).
“46-year-old Fernando Rodney is pitching on the Dominican Winter League’s Opening Day,” Jomboy Media tweeted, crediting @CespedesBBQ.
46-year-old Fernando Rodney is pitching on the Dominican Winter League’s Opening Day
(via @CespedesBBQ) pic.twitter.com/gQwVATY4St
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 20, 2023
He pitched a clean inning in his 2023-24 debut and remains as excited about pitching as he ever was.
Rodney has been pitching at home since 2002.
He had a 1.35 ERA last year with Gigantes, in 20 innings in which he struck out 19 batters.
He then proceeded to post a perfect ERA in 5.2 frames in the “Serie Semifinal,” the first phase of the postseason.
Not only is Rodney in shape to pitch: he is still dominating hitters, even if it’s not in MLB.
He deserves a lot of credit for doing what he is doing at such an advanced age.
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