All-Star pitcher Alex Wood has announced his retirement after 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, capping his career with a World Series championship

MLB All-Star Pitcher Alex Wood Announces Retirement After 12 Seasons and World Series Triumph with the Dodgers

Veteran left-handed pitcher Alex Wood has officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball, closing the book on an accomplished 12-year career that included a 2020 World Series championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 34-year-old made the heartfelt announcement on Friday via a lengthy Instagram post, expressing deep appreciation for the game and the experiences it brought him.

In his farewell message, Wood shared his “immense gratitude” for a career that saw him earn a 2017 MLB All-Star selection, reach the postseason seven times, and play for five of baseball’s most storied franchises. “I never could’ve imagined it would turn out this way,” Wood wrote, adding that baseball was his “first love” and that, outside of faith and family, nothing had shaped his life more.

Wood’s final MLB season came in 2024 with the Oakland Athletics, where he posted a 1–3 record and a 5.26 ERA across nine starts. Over the course of his career, the 6-foot-4 Charlotte, North Carolina native compiled a 77–68 record with a 3.78 ERA in 278 games. His journey began at the University of Georgia before being selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Wood debuted in the majors in 2013, quickly establishing himself as a reliable starting pitcher.

His standout season came in 2017 with the Dodgers, when he delivered a dominant 16–3 record and a 2.72 ERA over 27 games. Wood also made a pivotal contribution to the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series title, throwing four scoreless innings in the Fall Classic against the Tampa Bay Rays. Throughout his career, he also played for the Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics, earning the respect of teammates, coaches, and fans alike.

Reflecting on his journey, Wood said, “Playing for five iconic franchises and becoming part of those communities is something my family and I will always cherish.” He closed his farewell post with an optimistic note for the future: “Cheers to what’s next. See you at the park! Love, Woody.”

With his retirement, Alex Wood leaves behind a legacy of consistency, competitiveness, and championship-caliber performance—a career that will be remembered by fans across the MLB landscape.