Former Mets pitcher announces retirement after 13-year MLB career

The New York Mets have had many interesting faces on their roster over the past few decades. One of them was left-handed reliever Jake Diekman, who pitched for the team during the 2024 campaign. 

Diekman struggled mightily, posting a 5.63 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 43 appearances. While his numbers weren't great, there had been times throughout his career when he was very good.

Diekman put together a successful career for himself, making his debut during the 2012 campaign and finishing it in 2024. 

According to a post from his social media account, that will be the final year of his MLB career. Diekman is announcing his retirement after he was released by the Atlanta Braves in March. 

"The time has come for me to retire as a Major League Baseball player," Diekman wrote on his X account. "Thank you, God, for this life and being able to live out my wildest dream. From being in kindergarten and writing down that I wanted to be a baseball player when I grow up, to not even having a high school baseball team and just playing legion in the summer. 'Making it' to the big leagues seemed like such a pipe dream."

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Diekman, 38 years old, was drafted in the 30th round by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2007 MLB draft. He made his debut five years later and the rest was history. 

Throughout his career, he posted a 3.91 ERA and struck out 764 hitters in 602.1 innings. He was never named an All-Star, but Diekman was very good for some excellent teams.

Congratulations to him and best of luck moving forward.