Fernando Rodney hasn't pitched in MLB since winning a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019, but he has continued pitching, extending his career in professional leagues in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Venezuela.
Now, his next chapter is coming north of the border.
The Intercounty Baseball League's (IBL) Hamilton Cardinals announced Thursday they have signed the now 47-year-old for the 2025 season.
“Fernando Rodney is a true legend of the game," Cardinals owner Eric Spearin said in a release by the team. "His career and passion for baseball are unmatched, and we are honoured that he has chosen to bring his talent and leadership to the Hamilton Cardinals.”
Rodney owns 327 career saves over 17 seasons, which ranks 18th in MLB history. He pitched for 11 different teams. His longest stint came with the Detroit Tigers at the start of his career from 2002 to 2009. The five-foot-11 right-hander was named an All-Star as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012, the Seattle Mariners in 2014 and the Miami Marlins in 2016.
Over his lengthy career in the majors, Rodney racked up 943 strikeouts over 933.0 innings while posting a 3.80 ERA.
Rodney is one of the newcomers to the Hall of Fame ballot. While he is unlikely to be inducted, he needs to be chosen by five per cent of voters to remain on the ballot next year.
Known for his bow-and-arrow save celebration and tilted hat as a tribute to his father, Rodney emerged as one of the most engaging personalities in baseball during his career.
In 2012, Rodney delivered the best season of his career, collecting 48 saves for Tampa Bay with a 0.60 ERA. He finished fifth in Cy Young voting that year, won MLB's Delivery Man of the Year Award and was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year.
Originally signed as an amateur free agent in 1997, Rodney missed 2004 due to Tommy John surgery but pitched in at least 39 games in every year from 2005 to 2019.
The IBL is an independent semi-professional league based in Ontario. John Axford, Fergie Jenkins and Paul Spoljaric are just some of the notable former MLB stars to play in the league.
In 2024, the Cardinals finished in sixth place with an 18-24 record. The Barrie Baycats won the championship after going undefeated in the playoffs. Hamilton hasn't won an IBL title since 1978.
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