Atlanta Braves right-hander Collin McHugh announced that his time as an MLB pitcher has come to an end.
He will be retiring as a player, and is ready for what comes next.
“Collin McHugh announces his retirement from baseball. #Braves,” Atlanta sports anchor/host Maria Martin tweeted.
Collin McHugh announces his retirement from baseball. #Braves pic.twitter.com/6SpKUBVfpn
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) January 22, 2024
She shared McHugh’s Instagram post, a heartfelt collection of thoughts about baseball and what it meant to be a major leaguer.
He said he was drafted “likely as a favor” to his college coach and that he “wasn’t supposed to make it out of A-ball.”
He looked back at the journey, thanked the six MLB franchises that employed him, and announced that after 16 years, “it’s time to hang ’em up.”
Oh, and he also stated that he will likely remain around the game in some capacity, which is fantastic: baseball could really use a story of unlikely success like his.
McHugh did manage to complete a fantastic career.
With a 3.72 ERA in 992.2 innings, he was certainly more than a roster filler: during his prime, he was a jack-of-all-trades pitching weapon who could thrive in any role, from starter to middle reliever to multi-inning arm.
He peaked as a starter between 2014 and 2017 with the Houston Astros, then became a dominant reliever in Houston (2018-19), Tampa Bay, and Atlanta, where he finished his career.
After posting a 2.60 ERA with the Braves in 2022, it became clear that he just didn’t have it last year (4.30 ERA, 70 hits allowed in 58.2 innings).
The baseball universe is excited to learn what’s next for the solid right-hander.
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