Photo via Rotowire
Tommy Hunter, a longtime big-league reliever, has announced his official retirement from Major League Baseball at the age of 37. Hunter revealed his decision to retire on former teammate Adam Jones’ podcast in October, which went unnoticed by MLB Trade Rumors at the time.
Early Career and Transition to Reliever
Hunter’s professional baseball journey began when the Texas Rangers selected him in the supplemental first round of the 2007 draft. He quickly advanced to the major leagues in August of the following year. Initially operating as a starter, Hunter spent three seasons in this role and recorded a 4.36 ERA. The Baltimore Orioles dealt him and future home run champ Chris Davis to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Koji Uehara.
During his time with the Orioles, Hunter struggled as a starter but found a new gear upon transitioning to the bullpen in 2013. The right-hander showcased his skills by delivering consecutive sub-3.00 ERA performances while surpassing 60 innings pitched in both 2013 and 2014. Over this two-year period, Hunter combined for an impressive 2.88 ERA.
Trades and Team Changes
In 2015, Hunter was once again involved in a trade, this time with the Chicago Cubs. An average Baltimore team traded him as an impending free agent in exchange for outfielder Junior Lake. From that point forward, Hunter bounced around as a middle reliever, playing for various teams including the Cleveland Guardians, Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Mets.
Throughout his career, Hunter demonstrated consistent effectiveness, despite not posting huge strikeout numbers. He relied on his strong command and had five seasons with 50 or more innings pitched and an ERA below 4.00. Hunter’s career highlights include being part of the 2010 Texas team that won the American League pennant. He even started Game 4 of the World Series that year, contributing with a four-inning outing and allowing only two runs in a 4-0 loss.
Impressive Career Statistics
Over the course of his 16 seasons in the Majors, Hunter accumulated a wealth of statistics. He finished his career with a solid 4.07 ERA across 917 1/3 innings pitched. Throughout this time, he recorded 639 strikeouts, won 56 games, picked up 103 holds, and collected 22 saves. His career earnings were estimated to be around $36 million according to Baseball Reference.
Hunter’s retirement marks the end of a productive and lengthy career at the highest level of professional baseball. After playing for five different teams over 13 seasons, Hunter accumulated a 4.08 ERA and 633 strikeouts in 927 innings. In addition, he was a valuable reliever for the Orioles and Rays in their playoff runs. We congratulate Hunter on his achievements and wishes him the very best in his post-playing days.
Conclusion
Tommy Hunter’s retirement from Major League Baseball signifies the end of an era for the veteran reliever. In addition, throughout his career, Hunter proved his worth as a reliable pitcher, not only showcasing consistent effectiveness but also contributing to the success of various teams. As a result, his contributions have been significant. Now, as he embarks on the next chapter of his life, his contributions to the game will be remembered. Furthermore, his legacy as a respected player will endure. Tommy Hunter’s career has been one of noteworthy achievements and lasting impact.
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