Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly announced that he is done playing baseball during an appearance on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast.
Kelly has made several key relief appearances for the Dodgers over the years, though at 37, he appears to be at the end of his career.
“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.”
Kelly made 161 appearances for the Dodgers since joining back in 2019, pitching 147.2 innings and posting a 3.72 ERA.
He inked a three-year, $25 million deal with the Dodgers in the 2018-19 offseason as a free agency, leaving the Boston Red Sox after helping them beat Los Angeles in the World Series.
While he helped beat the Dodgers in the Fall Classic, he would eventually help the Dodgers capture the 2020 World Series win, pitching 3.2 innings and allowing one run.
Kelly eventually left the Dodgers for the Chicago White Sox in 2022, signing a two-year deal with the organization before returning to the Dodgers via trade.
He battled injuries during the 2024 postseason run, limiting his availability and preventing him from making the postseason.
The reliever expressed his interest in making a 2025 return to the mound for the postseason, though it never materialized.
“I’ve been playing by myself, with my friends, my buddies,” Kelly said. “I still have to throw to them probably two more times. I was a little rusty in my last one.
“Time is on this side. My last bullpen yesterday was great. I finally got my breaking balls back. They’re spinning good, spinning hard. Two different shapes. That was the last thing besides ultimate command.”
Now, Kelly is hanging up his cleats, though he is not shutting the door on a comeback completely.
Photo Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
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3 Responses
I was slow to warm to Joe, but I did. Kind of a wild man, loose canon, but passionate and entertaining. I can’t remember the exact quote, but it was a great line he had about getting suspended for not hitting (but throwing near them) someone after the Astros cheating incident in the WS.
From what I’ve heard he can still throw gas, he just can’t get people out. You know, that thing about some hitters today can catch a bullet if it’s straight.
Good luck in life Mariachi Joe… Its been good to have you as a Dodger…
Joe brought life and passion and an ounce of devil may care attitude. When he was on the mound, you knew he would do everything possible to close the door on opponents. I have missed him the past two years. If he doesn’t return as a reliever, he should be a coach for the Dodgers who moves from level to level teaching players, rookies and veterans, how to be fierce and funny. Keep it focused but loose. He is a treasure.