Joe Kelly, the well-known relief pitcher, has made a significant announcement: after 13 impressive seasons in Major League Baseball, he is stepping away from the game. In a candid conversation with Rob Bradford on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, Kelly shared his thoughts in his characteristic irreverent style. The 37-year-old right-hander refrained from using the term "retirement," expressing his discontent with how it’s traditionally perceived.
“Retiring is something for my grandmother… I apologize to everyone out there with real jobs who deserve to retire. But athletes don’t really retire,” Kelly stated. “We simply stop playing. Let’s ditch the term ‘retirement.’ It's meant for those who have served in the military or worked until they were 65. When an athlete is finished, just say ‘congratulations, they are no longer playing.’”
Kelly's last appearance on the mound was during the 2024 season, where he pitched a total of 32 innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers. After not signing a contract in the previous winter, he mentioned last July that he intended to showcase his skills exclusively to the Dodgers, expressing a desire to return only to that team if he pitched again. However, that opportunity passed without any significant developments, and Kelly ultimately revealed that ongoing injuries led him to conclude his career. “I can still throw 98 mph easily… but after throwing one pitch and straining myself again, I thought, ‘Nah, I’m done,’” he explained.
Throughout his career, high velocity has been a defining feature for Kelly. He kicked off his MLB journey with an average fastball speed of 95 mph during his debut season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. Transitioning to a bullpen role allowed him to increase his speed, averaging an impressive 98.2 mph over the last eight years of his career, with peaks exceeding 102 mph. While his fastball received considerable attention, it was actually his sinker, which regularly clocked in the upper 90s, along with his curveball, that proved most effective in securing outs after setting batters up with his signature fastball.
Drafted in the third round by the Cardinals in 2009, Kelly made his major league debut in 2012, pitching his first 266 innings in a St. Louis uniform. A pivotal trade during the 2014 deadline sent him and teammate Allen Craig to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for John Lackey. At the time, this trade sparked criticism from Red Sox fans; however, looking back, Kelly’s growth into a reliable member of the Red Sox bullpen has softened this perception.
In the early days with the Red Sox, Kelly faced challenges with injuries and consistency as a starter. However, moving to a relief role in 2016 allowed him to avoid the injured list more frequently. Over his tenure with Boston, he posted a 4.33 ERA, but truly shined during the 2018 playoffs, where he recorded a remarkable 0.79 ERA over 11 1/3 innings, significantly contributing to the Red Sox's World Series victory.
After clinching the championship against the Dodgers, Kelly signed a lucrative three-year, $25 million deal with Los Angeles. Although he encountered some initial difficulties that cast doubt on this contract, he managed to find his footing, finishing with a 3.59 ERA, a strikeout rate of 26.9%, a ground ball rate of 59.9%, and a walk rate of 9.8% over 105 1/3 innings across those three years. Another standout moment came during the postseason, where he excelled and secured another championship ring in 2020, allowing just one earned run in 4 2/3 innings.
Prior to the 2022 season, Kelly signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. Unfortunately, injuries plagued him during this period, resulting in a less-than-stellar ERA of 5.59 over 66 innings. He was later reacquired by the Dodgers at the 2023 trade deadline and surprisingly regained some of his former prowess, posting a stellar 1.74 ERA for the remainder of the season. Los Angeles brought him back for the 2024 season with a one-year, $8 million contract, but health issues persisted, and he concluded his final season with a 4.78 ERA in 32 innings. While he did not make the Dodgers' playoff roster, Los Angeles's World Series win granted Kelly his third championship ring, marking an impressive end to his career.
Over the course of his MLB journey, Kelly participated in 485 games and pitched a total of 839 innings, boasting a career ERA of 3.98, a ground ball rate of 51.8%, a strikeout rate of 21.1%, and a walk rate of 9.8%. His playoff performance includes a solid 3.45 ERA over 60 innings, with an outstanding 2.03 ERA in World Series games.
Beyond his statistics, Kelly also carved out a reputation as a colorful character in the league. His competitive spirit occasionally landed him in hot water, resulting in a couple of notable suspensions. However, his fierce loyalty to teammates only intensified rivalries, particularly between the Red Sox and Yankees, as well as the infamous sign-stealing controversy involving the Dodgers and Astros. With his powerful fastball, unpredictable control, and vibrant personality, Kelly embraced comparisons to the fictional character “Wild Thing” Rick Vaughn, even sporting number 99 with the Dodgers after giving up his number 17 jersey to Shohei Ohtani. This gesture led to Ohtani gifting Kelly’s wife a Porsche, further underscoring the camaraderie in the sport.
As we reflect on Kelly's remarkable career, the team at MLB Trade Rumors extends heartfelt congratulations and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors—whatever they may be after leaving the field.
