Ex-Dodgers All-Star’s Emotional Retirement Announcement Leaves Baseball World Teary Eyed

In a world where athletes announce retirements with PR firms, champagne, and half-baked farewell tours, one former All-Star from the Los Angeles Dodgers reminded us that sincerity still exists—and it can fit in a single tweet. With no grand finale or victory lap, just a heartfelt note and a nostalgic sign-off, he left the game the same way he played it: underrated, efficient, and entirely on his own terms.

After Joey Votto, Lance Lynn, and Kevin Smith, another legend has decided to hang up his cleats. MLB and Dodger legend Ross Stripling is done with baseball and will not be seen on the mound again.

This news was announced through his Twitter handle with a thank-you note. He shared a thank-you note with the caption, “With Love, Chicken Strip.” In the thank you note, he said, “After 13 seasons and full of tremendous pride and gratitude, it’s time to hang up the cleats.”

Across 248 appearances, Stripling quietly pieced together a respectable résumé: 741 strikeouts, 846.1 innings, and a 4.17 ERA that reflects both his consistency and competitiveness. While most of the players had a nervy debut, Stripling had a blast with the Dodgers. He burst onto the scene in 2016, flirting with history as he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his MLB debut—a feat that instantly etched his name into Dodgers lore.

That debut wasn’t just a flash in the pan—it was a trailer for a career defined by reliability, intelligence, and just enough flair to earn him the nickname “Chicken Strip.” Stripling didn’t chase headlines, but he quietly outlasted flashier names and left the game on his terms. In an era obsessed with velocity and viral moments, he proved that savvy still has a place on the mound. Baseball didn’t make Stripling a legend overnight—but it sure made him unforgettable over 13 seasons.