Longtime major league reliever Hector Rondon retired earlier this month, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com relays. Rondon had been with the Red Sox on a minor league contract, though he didn’t earn a promotion to MLB this season.
The right-handed Rondon appeared in the majors in each season from 2013-20 – an eight-year run he divided among the Cubs, Astros and Diamondbacks. Rondon experienced his greatest success in Chicago, which added him as a Rule 5 pick from Cleveland in December 2012. Rondon went on to pitch his first five seasons as a member of the Cubs, with whom he recorded a 3.22 ERA, posted a 24.9 percent strikeout rate against a 6.8 percent walk rate, logged a grounder percentage of 48.0, and piled up 77 saves. He amassed 50-plus innings in each of his seasons with the Cubs, including 51 in their World Series-winning 2016 campaign.
Rondon’s fruitful Cubs tenure came to an end when the Astros signed him to a two-year, $8.5MM guarantee going into 2018. He delivered typically strong results during the first year of the deal before fading somewhat in the second season. The Astros didn’t bring back Rondon, who inked a $3MM deal with the Diamondbacks last year. After Rondon slumped to a career-worst 7.65 ERA across 20 innings in 2020, the Diamondbacks declined his $4MM option in favor of a $500K buyout. He spent time with the Phillies on a minors deal before his brief stint with the Boston organization.
While Rondon’s career didn’t end well, the 33-year-old was a reliable and durable arm overall. He’ll hang up his cleats having pitched to a 3.49 ERA with 92 saves and 63 holds in 436 innings. MLBTR congratulates Rendon on a quality career and wishes him the best going forward.
Too bad. Think he still have some fuel on the tank…
I guess no one in Major League Baseball felt the same way
Just read he was depth in the minors. Didn’t even realize Boston had him in the organization. In my head, out of my head. Too bad it wasn’t that easy in other aspects of life.
He still has a respectable fastball but fastball and slider are not enough without…location, location, location.
Its interesting seeing players call it quits in April…
He didn’t make the Phillies and the part posted here didn’t actually say it, but was a late sign by Boston this spring when things were pretty much settled roster wise.
Why think many hang it up and shocks some? Bus rides for hours when guys.. Like Rondon have already banked 20m. Why put up with poor lighting, long grueling rides and 2 step down road accommodations? Not to mention getting paid 10% of what MLB rookies get. These half way successful vets, who have banked (and kept) any of their earnings may just have had it with the struggle for peanuts.
Time to move on with his life. EVERY player has to do that at some point. EVERY job has good and bad aspects. Do not blame the pay. DMV workers in CA made in the low $30,000 to put up with way more B$ than baseball players. I was a benefits consultant for 15 year and the DMV employees were some of the nicest people that put up with a lot. Rondon retired good for him. Do not blame the pay as there are far, far worse jobs my friend.
I think what he is saying is when you’ve banked 20 million there’s no need to chase one more contract on a greyhound bus when you’re already set for life
No bus rides in AAA dog. They have excellent conditions and usually benefit a great deal from the big club.
Rondon was signed April 4th by the Red Sox (after the season had started), so I guess he just changed his mind.
MiLB does not exist to pay players higher, and higher wages. Just like the WNBA has lost money its entire existence (only survives because it is subsidized by the NBA)….and the women think they should make as much as the men when the league should have gone bankrupt.
If the players do not like what they make they can go get a different job, John Silver.
What you got against the LFL?
Rondon signed April 4th and retired April 9th.
5 days says it all!
He was a BUM!
I liked Rondon. I used to refer to him as the Rondonizer…he was hot and cold…when Rondon had his control, look out…he was tough…
Good career for a rule 5 guy who was a solid closer for the Cubs especially in 2015 and mid way though 2016 until Chapman came along.
The due made over 23 million and was solid contributor to the 2016 World Series champs.
Seems abrupt. He was still effective the last full MLB season in 2019. Guess he simply didn’t want to go the minors thing to show if he had anything left.
Come on man…..
MLBTR congratulates “Rendon” on a quality career and wishes him the best going forward.
Rondon……
According to baseball reference Hector Rondon only had 8 years in MLB but earned over 23 million dollars – so no baseball retirement..