Lance Lynn, a seasoned MLB pitcher, has officially announced his retirement shortly after the 2025 season got underway. Despite some interest from teams during the offseason, no deal came together, and Lynn decided it was time to move on from professional baseball.
Speaking on Foul Territory, Lynn shared that his life was already heading in a new direction. “I started making plans that didn’t include baseball, and that made the decision easier,” he said. “I was enjoying being home, and the offers from teams just didn’t feel right. I didn’t want to force it and end up being miserable.” He added that ending his career on a high note with a win in St. Louis, surrounded by family, helped him find peace with the decision.
Lynn walks away from the game after 13 seasons in the majors, having pitched for six different teams. He broke into the league with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011, after being drafted in the first round in 2008. He earned two All-Star nods — first in 2012 with the Cardinals and again in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox, when he posted a standout season and finished third in Cy Young voting.
His final MLB stint came with the Cardinals in 2024, when he signed a one-year, $10 million deal. Lynn made 23 starts that season, finishing with a 7-4 record, 3.84 ERA, and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings. However, knee issues kept him off the field for a chunk of the year, and the Cardinals opted not to pick up his contract option for 2025.
Over his career, Lynn compiled a 143-99 win-loss record, a 3.74 ERA, and a 9.0 K/9 rate. Known for his toughness and durability, he now steps away from the game to enjoy life beyond baseball, closing the book on a long and successful run in the majors.
