Left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ announced his retirement from baseball after 15 seasons in Major League Baseball. In an appearance on “The Heart Strong” podcast with Jessica Lindberg, the 39-year-old Happ told Lindberg that he worked out this offseason to stay ready in case an opportunity came his way; however, when he turned on the television on Opening Day, he realized that the time was right to move on.
Happ pitched for eight teams over the course of his 15 years in the majors, beginning with the Phillies in 2007. He went on to play with the Astros, Blue Jays, Mariners, Pirates, Yankees and Twins. Happ most recently pitched for the Cardinals in 2021, making 11 starts for St. Louis after he was traded by Minnesota in late July.
In 354 appearances in the majors, Happ made 328 starts, earned a lifetime 133–100 record and achieved a 4.13 career ERA. He earned 1661 strikeouts, a 2.49 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and 21.5 wins above replacement. Happ was named an All-Star for the first (and only) time in his career in 2018, and was a part of the Philadelphia’s World Series championship team in 2008.
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