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Tim Hudson: Former Brave Set to Retire at Season’s End

By Matthew Schoettler

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Former pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, Tim Hudson, is set to retire at season’s end, concluding a 17-year career.

Tim Hudson will retire at the end of the 2015 season, finishing his career with the San Francisco Giants. Hudson, a Georgia native, was drafted out of Auburn University by the cross-town rivals Oakland Athletics in the 6th round of the 1997 Amateur Draft.

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Tim Hudson played six seasons with the Athletics, compiling 92 wins against 39 loses. With the A’s, Hudson was selected to two All-Star Games (2000 and 2004); moreover, in 2000, he led the American League in wins with 20. In his strong 2000 season, Hudson finished second in the Cy Young voting, ultimately losing out to Hall of Fame inductee Pedro Martinez.

After earning his second All-Star Game selection in 2004, Tim Hudson was traded to the Atlanta Braves in a lob-sided four-player deal that sent outfielder Charles Thomas, along with two pitchers, Juan Cruz and Dan Meyer. Looking back at the trade, the Atlanta Braves made out like bandits, as none of the players they dealt for Hudson made an impact for the Athletics.

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After Hudson was traded in 2004 to the Braves, he spent the next nine seasons in Atlanta. During his tenure with the Braves, Hudson amassed 113 wins to the beat of a 3.56 ERA. In 2010, Huddy would earn his third All-Star selection, posting his highest win total (17) with the Braves; additionally, he posted his lowest ERA as a Brave (2.83).

Prior to his 2010 resurrection, Tim Hudson succumbed to the ill-fated Tommy John surgery (UCL) in August of 2008. He was forced to miss the remained of the 2008 season, along with nearly all of 2009. Near the end of the 2009 season, Hudson was able to come back and make seven starts for the the Braves.

Coming off of a short 2009 season, it makes Hudson’s 2010 season all-the-more special, including being named 2010 NL Comeback Player of the Year. After the 2013 season, the Atlanta Braves did not wish to sign the tenured veteran; thus, the San Francisco Giants were willing to swoop up and sign him to a two-year deal.

With the Giants, Hudson did not experience the same level of success as he did with the Oakland Athletics and the Atlanta Braves. In 2014, Hudson showed promise with a 3.57 ERA, allowing him to garner his fourth and final All-Star selection. In 2015, Tim Hudson has seen his production drop off, and although he may have gas left in the tank, he would rather go out while still semi-productive than hang around.

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Tim Hudson will finish his career after this season; however, he is currently the active leader in wins in the MLB. Across a 17-year career, Hudson accumulated 221 wins, 3.49 ERA, and 2075 stikeouts (to date). Hudson will finish his career with four All-Star Game selection in addition to three top-five finishes in the Cy Young department, although never winning the award.

Perhaps down the road, the Atlanta Braves may consider retiring Hudson’s number; although, he was never outstanding for the club. He did play a key role in helping the team win two NL East Division titles, coincidentally in his first (2005) and last (2013) seasons with the Braves.

An interesting tidbit about Tim Hudson is that he won a game against every Major League Baseball team, joining only 14 other pitchers to accomplish that feat.

Hudson was an impressive, electric pitcher, who could also swing the bat. Although it is very unlikely that he is considered for the Hall of Fame, he has an exceptional career that he should be proud of. Braves’ fans can rejoice and recount the numerous successful seasons he had with the club.

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