Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly has announced that he is going to stop playing baseball, though he refused to retire flat-out.
At the age of 37, Kelly spent the entire last season out of the major leagues as he rehabbed an injury. The pitcher ramped up towards the end of the year, though he did not make the postseason roster.
Now, Kelly has made his playing future clear, and he explained why he does not like using the word “retire.”
“I ain’t playing,” Kelly told Rob Bradford on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast.
“There’s no such thing as retirement for athletes. Retiring is something my grandmother did. Let’s cancel the word retirement, it’s used for people who served in the military, for people who worked til 65. You guys deserve to retire, athletes don’t.”
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Kelly has been a staple of Dodgers’ lore for the past half-decade, making his mark both on and off the field. Here are some legendary moments.
The Mariachi Jacket
When visiting the White House after the 2020 World Series win, the righty wore a blue mariachi jacket, a staple of Mexican culture.
It was a clear nod to the city of Los Angeles, which is home to a large Hispanic population, most notably a significant Mexican population.
He wore the same jacket this past season, when he threw out the first pitch at a game after receiving his 2024 World Series ring.
Viral Moment Against The Houston Astros
Kelly was not on the 2017 Dodgers, who lost to the Houston Astros — a team that was found guilty of cheating via sign stealing — in the World Series.
However, he was on the Boston Red Sox team that lost to the Astros that same year.
In 2020, after the Astros’ judgment came down, Kelly got into it with Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman during a game in late July.
He made a pouty face at Correa after striking him out, prompting the benches to clear and the tension between both teams to become evident.
During the altercation, Kelly said, “Nice swing, b—-” to Correa, and an iconic meme was born.
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Kelly’s Legacy in Los Angeles
The reliever is a true fan favorite, and his iconic moment against the Astros has lived on in murals, fans’ tattoos, and merchandise.
Kelly’s fiery persona has become a symbol of the city of Los Angeles, and he is always cheered loudly when he makes an appearance at Dodger Stadium.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
