Dodgers' ex-All Star announces surprise retirement after 9 years in MLB

A 2018 Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star selection is retiring.

Ross Stripling is hanging up his cleats.

Stripling broke through with the Dodgers when he was 26, then had a 3.68 ERA with Los Angeles.

He went on to pitch for the Blue Jays, Giants and Athletics.

Stripling wrote a letter on social media announcing the news.

About his career, Stripling wrote, "This has been an unbelievable honor, and I feel incredibly lucky to be so fulfilled and content with leaving the game behind. Now, I'm excited to be home and begin the next chapter of life with my amazing family."

Here's the full message:

With Love, Chicken Strip pic.twitter.com/iuyE0Bek6M

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That's very thoughtful from Striping. 

He was briefly regarded as one of the best up-and-coming pitchers in baseball. 

That died out, though, and Stripling settled into a role as a bit of a journeyman.

He finishes his career with a 4.17 ERA and a 40-54 won-loss record.

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