Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that former Oakland A’s pitcher Dallas Braden will opt to retire rather than attempt a comeback. Braden told Slusser by phone that his shoulder is “a shredded mess”. Braden added that he “left my arm on the mound at the Coliseum, and I’m OK with that.”
2010 was a memorable season for Braden. First, there was this…
Braden’s post-game commets? (per Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News)
"“(The Yankees) are an extremely classy organization with guys who always tend to do the right thing every time; it’s kind of disheartening to see that not show through or be reflected by somebody of (Rodriguez’s) status,” Braden said after the game. “He’s a tremendous player and a tremendous talent, and I don’t care if I’m Cy Young or the 25th man on a roster; if I’ve got the ball in my hand and I’m out there on that mound, that’s not your mound. You want to run across the mound? Go run laps in the bullpen. That’s my mound.”"
Wonder how many people would be in Braden’s corner today…
A couple of weeks later, Braden found himself in exclusive company as he hurled baseball’s 19th perfect game, which occurred on Mother’s Day. As a teenager, Braden lost his mother to cancer. He was able to celebrate his accomplishment with his grandmother in attendance.
Then the issues with his left shoulder began.
After three starts into the 2011 campaign, it was discovered Braden has a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder. Surgery was required, forcing Braden to miss the remainder of the season. He avoided arbitration with the A’s and inked a one-year deal for $3.35MM.
Braden also missed all of 2012. In late August of that year, it was discovered that surgery on his rotator cuff was necessary.
Over five seasons, Braden constructed a record of 26-69 to go along with a ERA of 4.16 and WHIP of 1.325.
Speaking of Braden’s perfecto, you can watch all the outs…