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Doug Fister Retires

By Steve Adams | February 13, 2019 at 4:46pm CDT

Veteran right-hander Doug Fister has elected to call it a career after spending parts of 10 seasons in the Majors, agent Page Odle tells Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Fister, 35, received multiple Major League contract offers this winter, according to Odle, but is instead making a “100 percent family-driven” decision to spend time with his wife and two children.

A seventh-round pick of the Mariners back in 2006, Fister ascended to the Majors as a largely unheralded prospect with the Mariners in 2009. After establishing himself as a quality starter over his first 378 frames with the Mariners, Fister was flipped to the Tigers in a 2011 trade deadline deal, where he’d go on to thrive over another three seasons. Fister, in fact, was somewhat quietly one of the game’s better starters from 2011-14, pitching to a 3.11 ERA (129 ERA+) with 6.5 K/9, 1.7 BB/9 and 0.7 HR/9.

A 2015 forearm strain led to diminished velocity and diminished results for Fister, though he managed to make 32 starts for the 2016 Astros and served as a stabilizing force in their rotation. Hip and knee injuries slowed Fister in his most recent run with the Rangers, with the latter of the two issues ultimately ending his season after 66 innings.

All in all, Fister will walk away from his baseball career with a lifetime 83-92 record, a 3.72 ERA, 6.1 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 1422 1/3 big league innings. The towering 6’8″ righty also amassed an impressive postseason resume, tallying 56 2/3 innings of 3.02 ERA ball with a 41-to-17 K/BB ratio in five separate postseasons runs (three with the Tigers, one with the Nats and one with the Red Sox). He made one World Series start, with the Tigers in ’12, where he tossed six innings of one-run ball against the Giants.

Fister earned more than $36MM in player salaries over the life of a career that both Baseball-Reference and Fangraphs value at 20 wins above replacement. Best wishes to the former Tigers, Mariners, Nationals, Astros, Red Sox and Rangers righty in his life beyond baseball.

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View Comments (92)
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92 Comments

  1. NewYorkMetropolitans

    6 years ago

    a solid all around pitcher. Good luck, dougie

    10
    Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      6 years ago

      Under the radar for much of his career. A number 4 starter that outperformed that.

      7
      Reply
      • brewcat

        6 years ago

        If only his health were better throughout he could have been a 2-3.

        1
        Reply
    • lilpartialbaldo

      6 years ago

      Fister from a different mister.

      6
      Reply
  2. 2012orioles

    6 years ago

    I’ll always remember him getting hit in the head in the 2012 World Series and stayed in the game. That still boggles my mind

    6
    Reply
    • kahnkobra

      6 years ago

      boggled his mind also

      20
      Reply
      • partyatnapolis

        6 years ago

        lmao

        Reply
      • nymetsking

        6 years ago

        lol!

        Reply
      • SayfromMaclay

        6 years ago

        Lmao

        Reply
    • GarryHarris

      6 years ago

      He was the Tigers 4th starter but, I felt he was their best starter. We will always wonder how it may have been had the Tigers not relied on Smokey Jim Leylad to manage those strong Tigers teams. Good luck Mr Fister.

      Reply
  3. iwonderifthisnameworks

    6 years ago

    Fister? I hardly know her.

    26
    Reply
    • Chris

      6 years ago

      Fantasy baseball owners around the world wonder where they’ll get their team name lol

      5
      Reply
    • HBan22

      6 years ago

      A guy in my keeper league has had that team name for 3 years now. It never really gets old.

      6
      Reply
      • nymetsking

        6 years ago

        Nope

        Reply
    • Priggs89

      6 years ago

      I’ll always remember when Fister was traded for Furbush. And for that, Mr. Fiseter, I thank you.

      7
      Reply
      • harry hood

        6 years ago

        Dick Pole approves.

        1
        Reply
    • eqjohnson

      6 years ago

      har de har har

      Reply
  4. tigersfan1320

    6 years ago

    Solid pitcher for the tigers during their best years

    1
    Reply
    • Hard to walk with four balls

      6 years ago

      …and yet Jim Leyland managed to bobble all of that talent.

      Poor Mr.I

      Reply
  5. bjupton100

    6 years ago

    What a rip-off. Steady performer only got paid 34 million for ten seasons in MLB and four or more in minors. No wonder Murray and others choose other sports.

    2
    Reply
    • johnrealtime

      6 years ago

      To be fair if you entered the NFL as a late round pick and played for only ten seasons (and have a down year just before you enter free agency) then you wouldn’t be likely to earn more than that

      4
      Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      6 years ago

      LOL. He was better than expected but not a number 1 pick with multiple sport offers. He made many millions more than the average NFL player.

      6
      Reply
    • Chris

      6 years ago

      I mean I know it’s not a lot compared to his peers but $34 million is hella good money

      8
      Reply
    • brewpackbuckbadg

      6 years ago

      Should we be recalculating how much a WAR is worth based of his career? Maybe we are with the last two off seasons.

      Reply
    • jb19

      6 years ago

      College graduates can expect to make roughly $3 million over the course of a 35 year career. Fister made $34 million over 10 years and retires at age 35. I’m sure he’s ok w that. And if he’s not, he can go you know what to himself.

      2
      Reply
      • oldoak33

        6 years ago

        What would the problem be if Dougie wasn’t satisfied with his career or career earnings? Maybe he’s more driven than you. Maybe he took his career more seriously. Maybe he worked harder, sacrificed more, and made better choices. His field is likely more competitive than yours. It likely requires lifelong commitment and development. It likely generates more revenue per capita than yours.

        Unless you’re in a highly specialized field that requires a decade of schooling or training, and involves competing against people across the globe I’d say you have no case to demand that Doug feel a certain way about his career.

        Reply
        • JrodFunk5

          6 years ago

          The Rush Limbaugh commercial break is over, you can turn your radio back up to gather more talking points for the mlbtr comments section.

          1
          Reply
        • Gasu1

          6 years ago

          If he made $34M and isn’t satisfied with his career earnings, that’s very sad. It’s not a sign of being driven, as much as a sign of depression. If he really felt that way, I would feel bad for him; not because of how much he made, but because he’s unhappy with his life, even given his success.

          1
          Reply
        • oldoak33

          6 years ago

          The specific amount of money he made isn’t important here. Maybe it came across incorrectly. I just think it’s wrong to demand someone else feel a certain way about their career or suggest how much satisfaction that person should have derived from their achievements.

          1
          Reply
        • oldoak33

          6 years ago

          We’re in a political discussion now?

          Reply
    • luclusciano

      6 years ago

      3.4 million per year ain’t to shabby. Especially when 2 of those years (maybe 3) were unjustly ridden.

      Reply
  6. tigerdoc616

    6 years ago

    Still have an autographed Fister jersey from his time with the Tigers. Still wear it from time to time. Congrats on retirement Doug, go enjoy being with your family.

    6
    Reply
  7. citizen

    6 years ago

    American Leaguer.
    Interesting that the reporting is “received multiple major league contract offers” but most over 30 year old major leaguers remain unsigned.

    Reply
    • kahnkobra

      6 years ago

      or have signed minor league deals

      Reply
    • JPADA

      6 years ago

      Just because they’re unsigned doesn’t mean they haven’t gotten offers.

      2
      Reply
    • oldoak33

      6 years ago

      Doug isn’t just any over thirty MLB player. It’s Dougie Fister we’re talking about.

      Reply
  8. Chicks Dig the Longball

    6 years ago

    We lose one of the best in the “Sounds dirty but actually isn’t” names in baseball

    6
    Reply
    • nymetsking

      6 years ago

      I still miss Homer Bush.

      Reply
  9. craf1

    6 years ago

    In 2012 broke American League record by striking out 9 Royals in a row

    1
    Reply
    • Just another baseball fan

      6 years ago

      I remember that game with the Royals. I don’t even think he realized what he was doing at the time. He was so nonchalant out there on the mound.

      1
      Reply
  10. bigkempin

    6 years ago

    Arguably the best pornstar name for a professional athlete. He could still be a decent back end rotation/organization depth type option.

    Reply
    • bobtillman

      6 years ago

      Fister in the back end?

      5
      Reply
      • aj_54

        6 years ago

        underrated comment

        Reply
      • Christopher_Oriole

        6 years ago

        Comment of the post.

        Reply
      • luclusciano

        6 years ago

        Ha. You win

        Reply
      • SayfromMaclay

        6 years ago

        Oh my goodness lmao

        Reply
  11. todda1

    6 years ago

    His prime years with Detroit he pitched like an ace.

    1
    Reply
  12. ScottCFA

    6 years ago

    I was at Comerica Park in 2012 when Dougie set the all-time AL record with 9 consecutive strikeouts. Not bad for a guy whose fastball barely touched 90! Thanks for the memories, and have a great retirement!

    4
    Reply
  13. HalosHeavenJJ

    6 years ago

    Nice career. That header in the Series was frightening. Hope he enjoys the family time.

    1
    Reply
  14. SoxPow

    6 years ago

    Good luck to Doug, loved watching him for the Sox!

    2
    Reply
  15. Balk

    6 years ago

    Great friend, played against each other in winter ball quite a bit. He donated to great causes back here in Merced, helping rebuild his high school diamond. Loved watching him take a comebacker off his head in the World Series off the Giants. Just kidding Dougie! It did make me laugh though. Solid career. Never thought he would reach the levels he did, but the hard work paid off!

    3
    Reply
  16. Strike Four

    6 years ago

    The 2018 Texas Rangers: So bad they made a guy hate baseball so much he retired.

    2
    Reply
  17. kahnkobra

    6 years ago

    I would have given this guy $11 mil instead of Harvey

    3
    Reply
  18. ifonlydetroitcoulddraft

    6 years ago

    Fister owns the AL record for 9 K’s in a row. One of my fav Tigers memories. Enjoy retirement, Doug!

    5
    Reply
  19. Oxford Karma

    6 years ago

    By the Doug Fister radar, the Rangers are the frontrunners to win the World Series.
    Pitched the first game I saw at Nats Park before I decided to move to DC.
    Cheers to a solid career!

    Reply
  20. bernbabybern

    6 years ago

    Fister, 35, received multiple Major League contract offers this winter, according to Odle, but is instead making a “100 percent family-driven” decision to spend time with his wife and two children.

    He didn’t get jack for offers so he tried to make it look good with the often heard “family” bit.

    Reply
    • Cam

      6 years ago

      Thanks for your inside knowledge on the psyche of pro-ball players. Who did you play for again?

      1
      Reply
    • oldoak33

      6 years ago

      You seem like a real winner.

      Reply
  21. 68tigers84

    6 years ago

    35 nice young age to retire! Enjoy your time with your family.

    Reply
  22. the kutch

    6 years ago

    Seen him pitch a few times…he could be dominant…..good luck to him on his retirement!!!

    Reply
  23. fenwayfrank

    6 years ago

    loved him when he pitched for the Sox, he always competed. Too bad he didnt come back to provide some rotation depth.. Good Luck dude !

    Reply
  24. krussMETS

    6 years ago

    Will always remember the “Dog Fister” newspaper misprint.

    1
    Reply
  25. TreyMancini

    6 years ago

    Good luck Fister, I’m glad my O’s never had to face you in the playoffs, you quietly had a great career. Best wishes in your future life.

    Reply
  26. JFactor

    6 years ago

    Id be a little surprised if he actually received guaranteed mlb offers. Over the last 4 years he has a 4.56 ERA and a 4.62 FIP.

    Best of luck in retirement. Under rated career

    Reply
    • oldoak33

      6 years ago

      A 4.56 ERA!?! The Horror!

      Reply
      • nymetsking

        6 years ago

        I mean, it’s not fantastic.

        Reply
        • oldoak33

          6 years ago

          That’s the issue though. An average MLB pitcher gets a Major League offer and you don’t believe it. That’s the environment we’re in in the game and FA.

          Reply
    • Larry David's Joe Pepitone Jersey

      6 years ago

      I mean, we were probably talking 5th starter money from teams with bad SP depth.

      Reply
  27. basquiat

    6 years ago

    Enjoyed watching him pitch and he was pretty good fielding his position. And he didn’t waste a lot of time on the mound. His games moved along. Best of luck and enjoy your family.

    Reply
  28. Hayman19

    6 years ago

    The Fister/Furbush trade will go down as one of the all time great trades.

    2
    Reply
    • Yankeepatriot

      6 years ago

      I saw what you did there lmaoo

      Reply
  29. ghostofgradysizemore

    6 years ago

    Wild to see someone with a lifetime losing record to go along with a 3.72 ERA. Best wishes to him and his family.

    Reply
    • Melchez

      6 years ago

      Porcello had a 4.26 era and a .560 winning percentage. They played on the same teams for quite a few years. hard to explain.

      Reply
  30. Phillies2017

    6 years ago

    Always a favorite of mine. I wish him the best!

    Reply
  31. axisofhonor25

    6 years ago

    I start feeling old when I see guys who we watched come up with through the system and then retire ten years later.

    Reply
  32. Buddy “Bud” Hull

    6 years ago

    Doug Fister was one of the few bright spots on some truly abysmal Mariners teams. He was a great fit for Safeco and never should have been traded.

    I remember reading the Mariners had a choice of the third prospect the Tigers would include in that trade; the options given were Nicholas Castellanos or Chance Ruffin. Naturally, the Mariners opted for Ruffin who went on to have a great career. Oh wait, no, that was Doug Fister who went on to have a great next couple seasons — not Chance Ruffin.

    Then the Tigers inexplicably traded Fister to the Nationals a few seasons later. Wish you’d stayed in Seattle the whole time, Mr. Fister. Good luck on your post-game life.

    1
    Reply
    • Rex Block

      6 years ago

      Chance Ruffin is a pretty good name too.

      1
      Reply
    • Hard to walk with four balls

      6 years ago

      Fister was traded away for Robbie Ray. Then the Tigers traded Ray away for Shane Greene their current closer.

      Reply
    • GarryHarris

      6 years ago

      If I remember correctly (I also might not), Detroit media speculated that the Tigers traded Doug Fister to free payroll in order to resign Anibal Sanchez and try to renegotiate an extension with Max Scherzer.

      Reply
  33. df08988

    6 years ago

    You Fister – you brought her.

    2
    Reply
  34. Oxford Karma

    6 years ago

    Twisted Fister

    1
    Reply
  35. Rex Block

    6 years ago

    Mister Fister has a Blister

    Reply
  36. Guest617

    6 years ago

    36M after taxes, agents, lawyers, and accountants = 11M
    i.e. true meaning of getting fisted

    Reply
  37. acarneglia

    6 years ago

    Never the best, but always solid. Happy Retirement Doug Fister!

    Reply
  38. tomselleck

    6 years ago

    RIP to the “Fister? I hardly knew her!” joke.

    1
    Reply
  39. timewalk42

    6 years ago

    34/35 the writing is on the walls gone are the data everyone plays until they are 40

    Reply
  40. qbass187

    6 years ago

    Congrats Big Game Doug Fister!!!

    Reply
  41. Grizalt

    6 years ago

    $1.8m per WAR. Nice

    Reply
  42. Bobby Czyz

    6 years ago

    Fister’s a solid person as well. Grew up in my hometown. Never heard anyone say a bad word about him…Don’t forget, he struck out 9 batters in a row, in a game in 2012, to set an American League record.

    Reply
  43. Gasu1

    6 years ago

    Ah, Fister! We hardly knew ye’!

    Reply
  44. Guest617

    6 years ago

    prolly gets on the HOF ballot and may even get a sympathy vote

    Reply
  45. hothothotinc

    6 years ago

    Very surprised that the Nationals let him go. He was a great 3/4 go to pitcher for us.

    Reply

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