The Padres announced Friday that veteran reliever Craig Stammen has retired. The 39-year-old sustained a torn capsule in his right shoulder during spring training and acknowledged at the time that the injury could spell the end of his career. That’s been made official now, as Stammen has been placed on the voluntarily retired list, per the team.
Drafted by the Nationals back in 2005, Stammen quietly put together one of the better careers you’ll see for any 12th-round selection. The veteran was never a hard-throwing strikeout machine armed with the type of power fastball we’re accustomed to seeing from modern relievers, but he nevertheless pitched 13 big league seasons and accrued more than 11 years of Major League service along the way.
Stammen split his entire career between the Nats and Padres, logging 885 innings of 3.66 ERA ball with a 20.1% strikeout rate and 6.4% walk rate. After struggling as a starter in his first two big league seasons, Stammen moved to the bullpen and found a permanent home. He never served as a closer but still collected six saves and piled up 107 holds in his career. After moving to the bullpen for good, the right-hander notched a sharp 3.14 ERA over 508 relief appearances. While he never reached a World Series, he still reached the postseason three times: 2012 and 2014 with the Nats, and 2020 with the Padres.
It’s generally difficult for middle relievers to have this type of staying power at the big league level, particularly as modern front offices gravitate toward younger, harder-throwing players and place increasing emphasis on the bullpen flexibility that comes with optionable arms. That Stammen managed to pile up as many years and innings as he did is a testament to both his consistently strong performances and likely to his status a clubhouse leader in San Diego.
A shoulder injury surely isn’t the way in which the veteran Stammen hoped to put a bow on his fine big league career, but baseball fans — particularly those in San Diego and D.C. — will remember him as a perennially underappreciated arm who played major roles in some very good bullpens throughout a career that saw him earn more than $23MM. Best wishes to Stammen and his family in whatever the next chapter of life holds.
Enjoy retirement Trig!
Would love to have Craig come back be our pen coach and maybe one day a pitching coach.
Forced retirement
Nooooooo!!!
First Hamels, and now Stammen! I needed these guys on my “All Older Than Me Team”! I am also 39, but am slightl younger.
I am also a Padres fan.
You still have Rich Hill. I’m 44. Bartolo Colon was my last hope.
I remember in 2007, SD played the Mets and the Mets had 4 guys in their 40s in the starting lineup.
SP: Tom Glavine
3b: Jeff Conine
C: Sandy Alomar Jr.
LF: Moises Alou.
Julio Franco and Orlando Hernandez were also 40something 2007 Mets.
That was then, this is now.
Next year, I think I will have no hitters as Nelson Cruz, Joey Votto, and Miguel Cabrera will probably be gone. Pitchers older than me in 2024 will probably be: Greinke, Verlander, Jesse Chavez, Charlie Morton. Rich Hill will probably want to come back. I don’t think Wainwright will be back.
Waino and Miggy have confirmed they’re retiring at the end of the year
Grienke may too after the abysmal year he is having
Him and Obi Wan.
Ha!! Rich Hill is 4 months older than me. That means I have a shot, still-right fellas?
My dad was 46 before he was older than every single MLB player. Charlie Hough held out until 1994 at age 46.
Unless Minnie Miniso tries again, they are all kids to me!
Good run. Finally ran out of Stammena.
Best wishes on his future. He’s an all time fave amongst many Nats fans even though it’s been a while since he played for them.
Thanks for your work in DC Craig! Pretty dang good hitter for what it’s worth.
Future pitching coach. Never met a player with more desire to help other pitchers be better at their craft.
I’m a Nats fan, and appreciated Stammen through his early seasons. Grumbled when the Nats gave up on him, and was always happy when I saw Stammen doing well in San Diego. As the article says, Craig Stammen had a fine career. Sorry that he had to retire, but…
Great Team Mate. FO or Coach material. Keep him in the Organizatiom.
Class act. Kudos on a long career. Was great to see you this past Spring Training on the back fields with pit king to your little son after exhibition game.
Enjoy the next chapter!
100% class act! Hope the Padres keep him around as a bullpen coach.