Jake Diekman, the hard-throwing left-handed reliever who first made a name for himself with the Philadelphia Phillies, has officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after a notable 13-year career — including a memorable stint with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Diekman, originally drafted in the 30th round out of Nebraska, rose through the ranks with grit and determination. After debuting in 2012 with the Phillies, he became a reliable bullpen arm for multiple teams, including the Cardinals, where his veteran presence and fierce pitching made an impact during his time in St. Louis.
One of the highlights of his career was his role in a combined no-hitter for the Phillies in 2014, a feat Phillies fans will never forget.
In a heartfelt social media message, Diekman expressed gratitude to every team he played for but gave special thanks to the Phillies for launching his career.
“Thank you to the Phillies for taking a shot on a 30th-round guy out of small-town Nebraska that looked like Skeletor,” he said. “Making my big league debut with the most veteran team imaginable at that point was surreal. I’ll never forget being a part of the 2015 no-hitter.”
Over his 13 seasons, Diekman played for nine different teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Royals, Red Sox, and Mets, compiling a career 3.91 ERA, 764 strikeouts, and 705 relief appearances.
After his last Major League action in 2024 and a brief spring training stint with the Braves in 2025, Diekman chose to step away from the game, leaving behind a legacy of perseverance and fiery competition.
For Cardinals fans, Diekman’s time in St. Louis added valuable depth and veteran leadership to the bullpen, further cementing his reputation as a fierce competitor and respected reliever in the league.
