Philadelphia Phillies fans recently paid tribute to former infielder Jean Segura after the 12-year MLB veteran formally announced his retirement from the sport last week. While Segura's four-year run in Philadelphia didn't produce a World Series title, fans fondly remember his contributions to Phillies teams that helped transform the ball club from divisional basement dwellers to perennial playoff hopefuls. But Segura wasn't the only former Phillie to hang up his cleats and call it a career last week.
Jake Diekman, who was drafted by the Phillies in the 30th round of the 2007 draft, spent the first four years of his 13-year MLB career pitching out of Philadelphia's bullpen before being traded to the Texas Rangers in an eight-player deal that also included former Phillies ace Cole Hamels. But after failing to attract attention from MLB clubs during the past offseason, the veteran left-handed reliever announced his retirement with a lengthy and heartfelt social media post last Friday.
Jake Diekman celebrates his Phillies no-hitter with Cole Hamels in retirement announcement
Despite being drafted in the 30th round, Diekman carved out an impressive career that spanned 13 seasons and nine ball clubs. Despite never being named to an All-Star team or winning a World Series title during his playing career, he pitched in 705 games. When thanking his former ball clubs, he made it a point to highlight how his time in Philadelphia had a positive effect on his career.
“Thank you to the Phillies for taking a shot on a 30th round guy out of small-town Nebraska that looked like Skeletor,” wrote Diekman. “Making my big league debut with the most veteran team imaginable at that point was surreal. I’ll never forget being a part of the 2014 no-hitter.”
The no-hitter Diekman referenced in his retirement announcement took place on Sept. 1, 2014 when Diekman, along with starter Cole Hamels, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon combined to keep the Atlanta Braves hitless during a 7-0 Phillies victory.
During his four seasons in Philadelphia, Diekman appeared in 191 games with a record of 9-11 and a 3.84 ERA in 173 1/3 innings pitched. His upper 90s fastball made him an ideal left-handed specialist, and including stops with the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Tampa Rays, Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, Diekman made 705 total appearances, with 19 saves, 764 strikeouts and finishes his career with an impressive 1.396 WHIP in 602 1/3 innings.