On Friday, pitcher Braden Looper failed to make the Chicago Cubs' roster. As a result, the reliever-turned-starter says he will retire, says the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan.
Braden Looper To Retire After 12-Year Career As Reliever, Starter
Looper, age 36, most recently pitched with the Brewers in 2009, when he recorded a 5.22 ERA in 194.2 innings as a starter. In 2010, the Brewers declined to pick up his option, and he has remained a free agent ever since.
Looper began his career as a middle reliever with the Florida Marlins before eventually emerging as the team's closer. In 2003, he became the Marlins' closer and recorded 28 saves before largely losing his closing duties due to inconsistent performance. Looper did record a save in Game 4 of the World Series, which the Marlins would ultimately win.
The next season, Looper was dealt to New York and made the Mets' closer. After two years with the Mets, he was traded again to the Cardinals, with whom he won his second World Series ring. In his three years in St. Louis, he moved out of the bullpen and became a starting pitcher for the first time in his career. Results were mixed: in three seasons as a starting pitcher, Looper posted a 4.76 ERA, though he did manage a 38-33 record.
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