Phil Hughes officially announced his retirement from baseball today via Twitter. Hughes last pitched in the Majors in 2018 as a member of the San Diego Padres. While his final 16 appearances came out of the Padres bullpen, the No. 23 overall pick of the 2004 draft spent most of his 12-year career split between the Yankees and Twins.
In his own words, Hughes begins his announcement by saying, “While it’s been fairly apparent to most over these last couple years, I’d like to officially announce my retirement from baseball. Through many ups and downs over 12 years, I look back and am incredibly proud of what I was able to accomplish.”
Hughes took some time finding his way, and he ultimately leaves the game as an underrated hurler. After debuting in pinstripes during the 2007 season, he became linked in many minds to Joba Chamberlain as a pair of promising arms that didn’t pan out quite as intended for the Yankees. That said, Hughes has plenty to be proud of after carving out a successful big league career.
He was prematurely crowned a future ace for the Yankees, but he nevertheless developed as a significant contributor setting up games for Mariano Rivera during New York’s 2009 title run. Hughes posted a 3.03 ERA/3.22 FIP over 86 innings that season, including nine appearances in the postseason.
Hughes would settle in as a starter during a four-year run from 2012 to 2015. His best year came in 2014, his first with the Twins in which he logged 209 2/3 frames with a 3.52 ERA/2.65 FIP and an ML-leading 11.63 K/BB rate and a 7th-place Cy Young finish. Injuries and circumstances may have altered Hughes’ ultimate trajectory, but his emergence in Minnesota became a feel-good story for as long as his health allowed.
In total, the 34-year-ol Hughes retires with 11.2 bWAR, but 17.7 fWAR, indicating his ultimate work level might have been underappreciated at the time. He spent seven seasons with the Yankees and five with the Twins, with one All-Star appearances in 2010. Congrats to Hughes on a long and successful career.
Wait, he hadn’t retired? He had some good seasons though with all of the pitching talent of his era, he floated way under the radar. Wish him well in retirement!
He made millions and won a ring. Good job!
That’s how I see it too. Fans like to call guys who aren’t stars or don’t have 15 years in MLB hot garbage. I myself can only dream to have set myself up for life playing a game I love.
Not only that, but he’s one of the nicest former pro guys to interact with in the social media landscape. Particularly the card world.
Yep. A successful career! Happy Retirement!!
He was almost as successful as his uncle Howard.
He had a pretty cool 2014, doesn’t seem that long ago. Too bad that success was short lived after that record setting year.
A .7 BB/9 and 1.9% walk rate are really fun to look at.
Hughes and Chamberlain could have been so much more.
Totally agree
They were so overrated.
Overrated or underrated?
What a cruel and unnecessary thing to say.
Thanks, anonymity of the internet.
He is right, they were. Rating aren’t from players so how is it cruel?
I’d say it to his face. “Hey Phil! Many thought you’d be a key cog at the top of the rotation, unfortunately that didn’t happen. But that is still a commendable accomplishment because you played multiple years at the highest level of your profession.”
Just kidding that was performance evaluation at work and I just switched my name with Phil’s.
Sorry, but he came nowhere close to the hype. Congrats on having been a major leaguer, although I think most of us assumed he already was retired.
Unless he was a guy who talked himself up his whole career I’ll assume the hype was created by FO’s, sports writers, fans, etc… I won’t hold him accountable for falling short. If he gave it what he’s got he’s got nothing to be ashamed of and he wound up making a career and was at least “serviceable” at times
Hughes had 11.0 bWAR out of his draft class. The average was 7.3 per major leaguer, buoyed by Verlander’s 71.8. He was productive.
Guess I’ll watch some new Phil’s Pulls vids on YouTube and send him a congrats on retirement in the comments.
Congrats to him. Hope he does well with his baseball card youtube channel.
When you haven’t thrown for 2 years, you were already retired, you didn’t have to announce anything, we already assumed it, lol.
He said himself he assumed everyone knew
It’s not OFFICIAL until the paperwork is signed.
Dave Stieb came back after nearly 5 years off.
Retirement Announces Phil Hughes
wow before reaching the majors and to be honest never really living up to expectations. he had amassed some VERY impressive numbers in the minors. Good for him that he was ultimately able to put together at least a few good seasons. But its too bad most of his career was really overshadowed by people viewing him as a “failure” because he never really reached the heights of success people had predicted when he was ascending through the minor leagues. Best of luck to him now in his post playing days.
I was young and just getting into baseball when Hughes came up through the Yankees system. I still remember the game (one of his first) where he carried a no hitter through 7 before leaving with injury. Im glad he got to be a big part of the 09 run and got a ring. He’s a pitcher I rooted for no matter where he pitched and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
Hughes, Joba & Ian Kennedy.. each had their flashes of great talent but none really did anything major for NYY.
We’re they over hyped or misused by the yanks? Seems to me like the latter was what was the idea back then.
Joba was tried out as a starter and basically ruined his arm. Hughes essentially has inconsistent. Kennedy got traded to ARZ and was a 20 game winner for a year but otherwise had an unremarkable career and basically nothing in Pinstripes.
If the Yankees had used Chamberlain out of the bullpen, and only out of the bullpen he could have been a dominant reliever
Most relievers are failed starters. Mariano Rivera, Chapman, etc. Joba also had the misfortune of breaking his ankle in a trampoline accident and missed time. Can’t blame anyone but him for that.
Chapman has never started a game in MLB. He was used as a starter for the Cuban national team when he was a teenager but he was always a reliever for the Reds and the subsequent teams he’s played for
He started in AAA in 2010 and then became a full-time reliever in MLB.
Rsox… A prime example of George getting in the way of baseball decisions. It was him that wanted Joba to be a starter after he was settled in as a good arm out of the pen.
Yeah they should have established some direction for Joba, some guidance … what’s the word I’m looking for? Rules, that’s it! They could have even called it “Joba Rules”.
My favorite chamberlain story..when he was pulled over for drunk driving the cop asked him a question and his answer out of the blue was ” yogi berra is a short son of a b@#ch”..furthers my proof that only 2 ppl tell the truth, kids and drunks
I still mostly remember him as the guy the Yankees refused to trade for Johan Santana.
$80m by 32 isn’t a bad career
He seemed to always struggle to find his out pitch.
The league retired Phil two years ago it would seem
Man, I always remember thinking back in the day if he and Joba panned out, the two of them setting up Mo would be unstoppable.
Joba and Mark Melancon (who got traded for Lance Berkman).
Phil!? Phil Collins?!
He made $80M and won a ring. I’d say he’s going to be ok. Lots of comments about “what could have been”. LOL, I’m guessing he’s a happy camper
I would be if that was me by 32, but I’m still trying to make a career out of baseball so we’ll see if I’m still jealous by 32 lol
More time for pokemon cards.
Why retire Phil? You would be the #1 starter on the Angels staff.
Have fun opening cards and pretending you are 13 again.
$80 million career earnings, played with some legends, and played pretty darn well himself. Yup, I’d be happy with my career at that point also. Bet he has enough in the tank to give it a go still or play internationally, but no need too. Good for him
He was never the same after that 6.2 inning no hitter
Seems as though his MLB career succumbed to the inability for the recovery from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and/or an assortment of arm injuries – perhaps as a result of TOS or contributed to by TOS. Anyway seems as though he tried everything in his power – including prayer to recapture his success on the mound. Thankfully, he retires with his faith in God – and a big wad of money. From the Twin’s perspective, Padres, thanks for picking up the $13.2 million for Hughes in 2019. How’s Janigson Villalobos, doing for the Twins ???
Exactly. That TOS is a career ender.
Also the strain on his elbow rushing back in 2007 as he was tossing either a no hitter or perfect game until he stepped in a landing hole on the mound made by the Texas pitcher,as he dug at it the inning before. Ever since then,other than the Yanks pushing him to the pen in 2009,his career was one of hope and promise,peaks and valleys. Great guy as well.
I guess CASHMAN will make Hughes an offer now……he’s under NOBODY’S team control now
We’ll see Phil Hughes joining Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy again in Cooperstown. All those great years and championships they achieved were historic…even better than Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz, like so many Yankees fans predicted.
I wonder if this trio’s greatness is greater than the greatness from Harvey, Syndergaard, deGrom, Matz and Wheeler. These pitching combos were insanely great as their fan bases predicted and guaranteed.
Wait…none of that predicted greatness happened?
I mean…Joba/Hughes/Kennedy were exactly as successful at winning the World Series with the Yankees as Maddux/Glavine/Smoltz were with the Braves.
It wouldn’t be an MLBTR article about literally any subject without MarlinsFanBase, a fan of one of the worst teams in sports with one of the worst fan bases to match, shoehorning in some hatred for the New York Mets and their past pitching prospects.
Remember when Christian Yelich, Marcel Ozuna, and Mike Stanton were supposed to anchor the outfield and lead the Marlins to the playoffs year after year?
Wait…none of that predicted greatness happened because they they traded away all three because they couldn’t afford them due to their pathetic ownership and abysmal fan support.
This wouldn’t stop Terry Ryan from offering him an extension.
A 21-HR salute to Phil as he makes his retirement official.
I think Phil Hughes is the most over paid and luckiest paid major leaguer ever. He could have retired with potentially only like $37.5M in career earnings instead of the $80.3M he did earn, if the Yankees hadn’t given him an oversized raise on his last year of arbitration and if the Twins had not immediately signed him to a massive pay raise and extension after one good year on the club on a fair if very budget friendly contract. 3 years/$24M turned into 6 years/$58M without a track record to justify it and you gotta appreciate that that has NEVER EVER happened before or since.
That’s a lot of IF’s.
*Heisman*
Went to my HS, was throwing 95 his senior year. Was ridiculous. Scouts at every game he pitched too. Was wild for his teammates. Nice career Mr. Hughes.
Somewhere, Mike Francesa sheds a big, fat tear.
I live in ny, he probably still thinks that Daniel murphy isnt going to be a hitter abd nate mcclouth will be a huge star
Wait a minute…you mean Nate McLouth isn’t a huge star??
I want McLouth in da outfield for da next decade! With his hair floppin around! And get me Inge, who I like a lot.
I live in ny, he probably still thinks that Daniel murphy isnt going to be a hitter abd nate mcclouth will be a huge star
Administration please delete this one
Given that less than one in five draftees ever make it to the bigs, any player who plays in the majors for several years should consider himself a success.
I loved him on the Twins, especially 2014 obviously. They were a garbage team that lacked consistency and leadership, especially in the rotation, and Hughes provided that. In 2015 he pitched well, too, and that season was the first glimmers of hopes that the Twins were going to turn things around– Sano, Buxton, and Rosario all debuted that year.
At any rate, congrats to Phil Hughes from this lone internet yahoo on a good career!
I always like seeing guys who failed to live up to the hype on the Yanks come into their own for some other team. Glad Phil made a good career for himself in Minneapolis. (Not that he was bad in NY, just not the star they had hoped).
Only true losers retire at age 34 having made over 80 million… I’m 37 and broke and even I know that!!