Rangers lefty who had 3.14 ERA in Texas retires after time with 9 MLB teams

The Texas Rangers always knew they could rely on Jake Diekman.

Across four seasons as a left-handed relief pitcher for the Rangers, Diekman made 150 appearances. He pitched to the tune of a 3.18 ERA.

Seven years after last pitching for the Rangers, and with seven MLB teams off the board beyond them (after beginning with the Phillies), Diekman is calling it quits.

Diekman released a long statement on X that announced his retirement.

He was once a 30th-round pick of the Phillies out of a junior college in Kansas.

"From American Legion to Doane College to Cloud County Community College, I could not have asked for better spots to be," Diekman wrote. "Those were some of the best times on the field. Those early years in high school and college is where you learn what it actually takes to be your best, grind out a game and learn to fall."

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Diekman pitched his most games for his first team, the Phillies. His second-most appearances came in Texas.

"To the Texas Rangers, you went above and beyond for my personal health," Diekman wrote. "A year of unknowns for me health-wise was made easier because of your unwavering support and push to even go through with surgery in the first place."

Diekman also went to the playoffs for the first time with Texas.

He pitched in six playoff games for the Rangers.

Diekman now signs off after a remarkable baseball career.

"To the game of baseball, you are extremely hard, but extremely rewarding and full of life lessons," Diekman wrote. "Please stay the same game that we all fell in love with. You rock, don't ever change."

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