Apparently not having heard of San Francisco's "every other year" witchcraft, Tim Hudson has indicated that the 2015 season is likely to be his last, per the Associated Press.
Tim Hudson plans to retire after 2015
The 38-year-old pitcher is going to fulfill his two-year contract with the Giants rather than exit on top.
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
“I have one more year left on my contract, so I’m pretty sure that’s going to be it after this season,” said Hudson, speaking at Auburn, where he played in college.
Hudson will enter his final season having been named an all-star four times, including as recently as last year. He also appeared on the Cy Young Award ballot four times, finishing as high as second in 2000. Hudson, along with Barry Zito and Mark Mulder, ushered in the success that many attribute to Billy Beane and the "Moneyball" era.
Hudson showed in 2014 that he hadn’t quite emptied the tank, recording a 3.57 ERA in 31 starts, recording 120 strikeouts and issuing a paltry 34 walks. His first half was something to behold as the 38-year old carried a 2.87 ERA into the break, and only issued six walks in April and May combined. He came back to earth in the second half, but was still plenty useful.
Hudson shined in the NLDS this year, tossing 7⅓ innings of one-run ball in a game the Giants would later win on a Brandon Belt home run in the top of the 18th. And while everyone will remember Madison Bumgarner's performance in Game 7 of the World Series, it was Hudson who got the start.
Still, he knows that last season’s success brings no guarantees for 2015, and he’s already started preparing for the upcoming season:
“It’s going to be hard to duplicate the season that we had last year, but I think we have guys in the locker room in San Francisco that can do it,” Hudson said. “I know I’m going to be ready to go.”
Hudson hasn’t had as much time off given the shortened offseason, but there will be plenty of time for rest after the 2015 season.
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