Alex Wood, the left-handed pitcher who played a significant role in ending the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 29-year pennant drought, announced his retirement on Friday (August 8). The 34-year-old shared his decision through a heartfelt Instagram post, ending a remarkable 12-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Alex Wood’s MLB journey

Alex Wood’s career began with the Atlanta Braves in 2013, just a year after being drafted out of the University of Georgia. Known for his distinctive left-handed delivery, Wood showcased his skills early.

His rookie season saw him make 31 appearances, including 11 starts, laying the foundation for a career that spanned five teams including the Braves (2013-15), Dodgers (2015-18, 2020), Cincinnati Reds (2019), San Francisco Giants (2021-23), and Oakland A’s (2024).

Alex Wood’s stats

Alex Wood retires with a career record of 77 wins and 68 losses, boasting a solid 3.78 ERA and 1,173 strikeouts. His ability to adapt to different roles and teams made him a valuable asset, but it was his standout 2017 season with the Dodgers that marked his legacy.

All-Star season and World series heroics

In 2017, Wood delivered the best performance of his career, earning All-Star honors with an impressive 16-3 record and a 2.72 ERA. His dominance was particularly evident in the postseason, where he started Game 4 of the World Series against the Houston Astros.

Wood pitched 7.2 innings, allowing just one run in a masterful performance, though the Dodgers ultimately fell in a controversial seven-game series later tainted by the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.

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Wood’s contributions to the Dodgers extended beyond 2017. After being traded to the Reds in 2018, he returned to Los Angeles in 2020, just in time to help secure the team’s first World Series title since 1988.

In the postseason, he allowed only one run across 6.2 innings, proving his clutch performance under pressure.

A resurgent 2021 and final seasons

Alex Wood experienced a career resurgence with the San Francisco Giants in 2021, posting a 10-4 record with a 3.83 ERA and 152 strikeouts during the team’s remarkable 107-55 season.

However, his final three years were affected by inconsistency and injury. In 2022, his record slipped to 8-12 with a 5.10 ERA, followed by a 5-5 mark and a 4.33 ERA in 2023. His 2024 season with the Oakland A’s was cut short by a rotator cuff injury after just nine starts.

A heartfelt farewell to Baseball

In his Instagram post, Wood expressed deep gratitude for the game that defined much of his life.

“Baseball was my first love. Outside of God and my family, nothing else has shaped me the way this game has,” he wrote.

He also thanked his teammates, coaches, and staff, emphasizing his desire to be remembered as a supportive teammate. “If my teammates remember one thing about me, I hope it’s that,” Wood shared.

“Even writing this, I can’t help but smile thinking about how much I still love the game after all this time,” he concluded.