Braden Looper retired after the Cubs informed him that he didn't make the Opening Day roster, according to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald (on Twitter). The Cubs lured Looper out of retirement with a minor league deal that could have been worth $1MM back in January.
Though scouts seemed interested in Looper this spring, he chose retirement over the free agent market since he preferred to play in Chicago, near his family's home.
Looper, the third overall selection in the 1996 draft, last pitched in the majors for the 2009 Brewers. The 36-year-old retires with a 72-65 record, a 4.15 ERA and 669 strikeouts in 1176 innings as a Marlin, Cardinal, Met and Brewer. Baseball-Reference estimates that Looper earned over $24MM in his 12-year-career.
It’s a shame you couldn’t make it man, best of luck to you.
Couldn’t make it? The guy’s job was playing baseball for 12 years, and he’s retring at age 36 a multi-millionaire. I’d say he made it.
I meant couldn’t make it on the 2011 Cubs team. Quit trolling for an argument.
I was never a big fan of Braden Looper the pitcher, but I always thought he was one of the good guys in baseball.
I could see why he’d want one last shot with his “home” team. Good luck to him!
Goodbye, Blooper.
His sadistic grin while looking down @ home will not be forgotten.
This sucks, my fantasy team is screwed now.
if looper was an important part of your fantasy team, you were screwed in the first place
It’s called sarcasm, expect it from time to time.
I will always remember him for blowing saves on the Mets.
Well , You’ll be seeing that even more if Izzy makes the Mets.
I went to School with Braden Looper, he is a great guy, I am glad he made it into the Majors, I wish him luck in his future endeavors.
Sounds like Vernon Wells.
Except Wells is earning close to Looper’s ENTIRE MLB take for each of the next four years.