Though he hadn't appeared in a major or minor game since 2011, veteran reliever Arthur Rhodes quietly held on to a remarkable career that spanned 20 big league seasons. According to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon though, that changed on Friday as the now 45-year-old left-hander just as quietly made his retirement from baseball official.
Like most pitchers who hang around through two decades, Rhodes was well-traveled. After debuting with the Baltimore Orioles in 1991 and spending his first nine big league seasons there, he changed uniforms nine times in 11 seasons, including stints with the Seattle Mariners (twice), Oakland A's, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals.
It wasn't because he wasn't good. For his career, Rhodes went 87-70 with a 4.08 ERA over exactly 900 appearances (61 starts and 839 relief appearances) and 1,187.2 innings. It's just the life of a reliever, and Rhodes was one teams coveted because they knew he could get big outs in big situations.
Case in point, Rhodes posted 25 scoreless relief appearances out of 29 in the postseason. That includes a perfect 8-for-8 scoreless in his final season for the World Series champion Cardinals.
Excellent credentials to be sure, but it's Rhodes durability and longevity that were most impressive. They also helped propel into some rare company on more than one occasion. Check out these facts.
• Rhodes is one of only 24 pitchers to record 900 appearances in MLB history.
• Of those 24, Rhodes is one of only six left-handers. Side-arming lefty Jesse Orosco holds the record with 1.252 appearances.
Here's another coot twist that will prove to be the final chapter in his career. During the 2011 season, Rhodes was traded from the Rangers to the Cardinals and was guaranteed his first and only World Series ring as the two teams squared off in the Fall Classic. No one can say he didn't earn though. His postseason was spotless.
Rhodes isn't a guy who will draw Hall of Fame consideration five years from now. He may get a courtesy vote or two if voters are still doing that, but certainly not enough to stay on the ballot. But that's just fine. Rhodes found his niche, he accepted his role, and he fulfilled it well for a very long time. You'll take that guy on your team each and every time.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
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