The St. Louis Cardinals’ celebrated 2011 championship roster has just lost one of its last members, as right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn announced his retirement on April 1 through his podcast. Lynn, who started his MLB career in 2011 as a reliever, posted a solid 3.12 ERA in 34.2 innings, striking out 40 batters. Over his 13-season career, he pitched 2,006.1 innings, recorded 2,015 strikeouts, and maintained a career ERA of 3.74.
Lynn played for several teams, including the Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Indiana native returned to the Cardinals for his final season in 2024, where he posted a respectable 3.84 ERA.
Lynn was known for his heavy reliance on his fastball, throwing some form of it more than 80% of the time throughout his career. However, as he aged, he had to adjust his pitching style to compensate for a decline in velocity.
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One key trait that the Cardinals valued was his “bulldog” mentality. The team’s desire for veteran leadership in 2024 played a major role in their decision to re-sign Lynn. While many fans were initially puzzled by the move, Lynn proved his worth both on the field, pitching through knee issues, and in the clubhouse, providing leadership alongside other veterans like Matt Carpenter and Brandon Crawford.
After 2024, the Cardinals opted not to pick up Lynn’s contract, and while rumors surfaced about other teams showing interest in him for a bullpen role, Lynn surprised everyone by announcing his retirement. He was reportedly in negotiations with the Chicago Cubs before making his decision to retire.
Lynn was always outspoken about the issues he saw in baseball, particularly criticizing the Dodgers’ spending and suggesting that other owners were using it as a strategy to push for a salary cap. His fastball-centric approach made him a throwback in an era dominated by breaking balls, and his intense, gritty style earned him respect as a leader in the clubhouse. While Cardinals fans will certainly miss him, it’s likely not the last time they’ll hear from Lynn, with talks of a potential red jacket in his future.
