Ryan Dempster Reportedly Retires After 16 Seasons in MLB

Ryan Dempster said he didn't see his mind changing about playing baseball when he decided to sit out the 2014 MLB season. On Wednesday, the Red Sox pitcher reportedly made it official, announcing his retirement after 16 major league seasons.

The news was reported by Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, citing sources close to the situation. Neither Dempster nor his representation has confirmed the decision, though his retirement has been viewed as an inevitability for months.     

In February, Dempster announced his intention to take the 2014 season off to spend time with his family. While he did not categorize the decision as a retirement, Dempster indicated neither his mind nor his body was ready for the day-to-day grind. 

"But I just feel like where I'm at with my health, how I feel personally, I just feel like it's in the best interests of both myself and the organization and the team to not play this year," Dempster told reporters. "I don't feel like I can compete or produce the way I'm accustomed to." 

Dempster, who spent a majority of his career with the Chicago Cubs, joined the Red Sox before the 2013 season on a two-year, $26.5 million contract. He went 8-9 with a 4.57 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in his lone season in Boston, though he did pitch three solid games of relief during the team's World Series run. Dempster's last professional appearance came in Game 1 of the 2013 Fall Classic, as he pitched the ninth inning of Boston's 8-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

"At the end of the day, if this is the end, this is the end, and what a great way to go out," Dempster said in February, "and think that the last batter I faced was to strike out to end Game 1 of the World Series."

By voluntarily retiring, Dempster forfeits the $13.25 million remaining on his contract. The Red Sox placed him on the restricted list in February and would retain his rights if he ever decided to attempt a comeback.

Boston was Dempster's fifth MLB organization. A third-round pick in the 1995 MLB draft, he began his career with the Florida Marlins for four-plus seasons before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds. He left Cincinnati for Chicago after the 2003 season, where the Cubs allowed him to recover from Tommy John surgery and make a conversion to reliever.

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

That decision wound up reinvigorating his career and sparking a decorated run that lasted nearly nine seasons. He was the Cubs' primary closer from 2005 to 2007, compiling 85 saves in the three-year span. Out of necessity, he moved back to a starting role in 2008 and had his best professional season, going 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA and 1.21 WHIP en route to a sixth-place finish in the Cy Young voting.

Overall, Dempster went 132-133 for his career with a 4.35 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Since leaving the sport, Dempster has joined MLB Network as an analyst. It is expected he'll continue with that role going forward.

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