Right-hander Ryan Dempster, who sat out the 2014 season due to physical issues and a desire to spend more time with his family, will not pursue a contract this offseason and will officially retire, reports Chris Cotillo of SB Nation’s MLB Daily Dish (on Twitter).
The 37-year-old Dempster was placed on the restricted list by the Red Sox following that decision, meaning that he forewent a sizable $13.25MM salary. At the time, Dempster told FOX’s Ken Rosenthal, “I don’t feel like I am capable of performing to the ability and standard that I am accustomed to. I feel it’s in the best interest of both the club but most importantly myself to step away from playing baseball at this time.” Over the summer, Dempster told the Chicago Tribune that he wasn’t ruling out a return to the playing field, but he didn’t miss playing at that point.
Dempster’s career will come to a close with a 4.35 ERA, 7.8 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 2387 Major League innings. The former third-round pick and British Columbia native experienced success both as a starter and as a reliever in his career. He made 351 big league starts and totaled 132 Major League victories, but he also spent three seasons as the Cubs’ closer and totaled 87 saves in his career.
The final season of Dempster’s career certainly wasn’t his finest, but it may be his fondest memory. Dempster posted a 4.57 ERA in 171 1/3 innings for the Red Sox that season and was rewarded with a 2013 World Series ring when all was said and done.
A two-time All-Star, Dempster also finished sixth in the 2008 National League Cy Young voting in a surprisingly dominant campaign as he transitioned from the bullpen back to the rotation. He totaled 206 2/3 innings that season, posting a 2.96 ERA and averaging 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings along the way.
Baseball-Reference.com values Dempster’s career at 22.6 wins above replacement, while Fangraphs pegs him at 27.5 WAR. In parts of 16 Major League seasons with the Marlins, Reds, Cubs, Rangers and Red Sox, Dempster earned more than $89MM, according to B-Ref. We at MLBTR wish Dempster the best of luck in his post-playing days.
One of the classiest and most fun baseball players in recent memory. Enjoy the rest of your life, Demp. I was proud to see you in Cubby blue and I was glad you got a WS championship before the end.
Classy players don’t throw at people they don’t like.
He was just the messenger. If he didn’t do it someone else would have. He just so happened to be the starting pitcher that night. Doesn’t make it right, but I think everyone knew it was going to happen.
He sat with my son at a charity softball game this summer and had a joke telling contest. It was awesome.
I thought he was already retired.
He took 2014 off, but hadn’t made an official decision until now.
Oh that’s right. He did always seem like a good guy and he’s a great interview as well.
Dempster was not a great fit for the Sox, but he is a man of class. He kept his chicken and beer at home where they belong unlike Beckett, who also retired today.
Just kinda wish they didn’t wait until it was painfully obvious to everyone, like Oswalt pulling his hammy just covering home. But I realize they make their money at the end of the career and not the beginning.
One can only hope to retire before 40. He had quite a 2008 season.
This doesn’t surprise me. On the night that the Sox won it all last year, Dempster and his friends and family stayed at Fenway Park until about 4 a.m., even though the grounds crew was begging them to leave so they could shut it all down and go home. When he decided not to play in 2014, I had the impression that maybe he wanted that night he finally won a ring to be his last in baseball.
He didn’t pitch great that season, but I don’t doubt he gave his best, and he did well enough to help the team in that No. 5 starter role. Enjoy your retirement, Mr. Dempster.
Sorry to be negative, but kind of incredible that a right-hander with a career 4.35 ERA got 351 starts and played 16 years.
Not every major league starter can be Clayton Kershaw.
He was effective for a long, long time.
Again, not to be controversial, but:
– this season a 4.35 ERA would have put Dempster 77th out of 88 qualifiers – between Wade Miley and Nathan Eovaldi.
I do understand that he played much of his career in the steroid era.
He was essentially the definition of average, and there will always be a place for average ballplayers. 98 career ERA+. He’s not much different than a Kyle Loshe-type player. Lohse and him are remarkably similar and Lohse keeps getting employed and preventing runs at league average or better rates.
He also had a career WAR of 22-27… That seems at least above average
Over 2387 IP that’s actually pretty average….
Pretty effective as a closer as well, 87 saves. Solid career in my mind, better than average I think.
Only Fergie Jenkins had more wins and IP than Dempster for Canadian players. Only Jenkins, Matt Stairs and Larry Walker had longer careers. One of the top Canadian players of all-time.
Lasting memory of Dempster, Johnny Gomes, David Ross and Jake Peavy acting like kids on Christmas morning at the Red Sox celebration in Boston. Someone can definitely use Ryan in their organization as a coach, instructor, etc.
A tragic end to a remarkable career.