Veteran bullpen stalwart Joe Smith has decided to hang up his cleats, announcing his retirement on Wednesday after an impressive 15-season run in Major League Baseball.
In a heartfelt statement released through Excel Sports Management, Smith expressed his gratitude towards the numerous organizations he’s been a part of — including the Mets, Guardians, Angels, Cubs, Blue Jays, Astros, Mariners, and Twins. He also extended his thanks to his coaches, teammates, trainers, and family for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
Drafted by the Mets in the third round back in 2006, Smith made his major league debut less than a year later, quickly establishing himself as a reliable reliever. His rookie season set the tone for what would be a remarkably consistent career, delivering a 3.45 ERA across 44 1/3 innings with a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Smith’s career is highlighted by an extraordinary streak of 13 consecutive seasons with an ERA of 3.83 or lower, including five seasons with an ERA below 3.00 and two under 2.00. Although he seldom found himself in the closer’s role, amassing 30 career saves, Smith’s effectiveness as a setup man is underscored by his 228 holds — the third highest total since the statistic was officially recorded.
Despite never clinching a World Series title, Smith’s postseason record is notable. He appeared in five playoff seasons and made it to the World Series with the Astros in 2019, maintaining his performance level with a 2.57 ERA over 14 playoff innings.
Over the span of his career, Smith accumulated 762 1/3 innings pitched, boasting a 3.14 ERA, a 55-34 win-loss record, 30 saves, and maintaining a strikeout rate of 21.1% against an 8.1% walk rate. Remarkably, his ERA never exceeded 4.00 until the 2021 season at age 37, and he never ended a season with an ERA above 5.00.
Smith concludes his career with over 13 years of Major League service and earnings exceeding $51 million, marking the end of a quietly outstanding career in professional baseball.
