Veteran reliever Daniel Hudson has decided to hang up his cleats, concluding a remarkable 15-season career in Major League Baseball. Hudson, 37, shared the news with reporters after the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series, clinching his second championship ring.

Hudson, selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, started his professional journey as a promising starting pitcher. He quickly ascended the ranks, making his MLB debut just a year later in 2009. His initial stint with the White Sox was brief, spanning merely nine appearances over two seasons before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Edwin Jackson.

The right-hander's dazzling late-season performance with the Diamondbacks in 2010 hinted at a bright future. Hudson posted an impressive 1.69 ERA and a 3.22 FIP over 79 2/3 innings across 11 starts. His first full season with the Diamondbacks in 2011 was equally noteworthy, as he recorded a solid 3.49 ERA over 222 innings. However, elbow injuries soon derailed his career as a starter, leading to Tommy John surgery in 2012 and a lengthy rehabilitation process.

Transitioning to a relief role, Hudson continued to contribute effectively as a middle reliever despite bouncing between several teams. From 2015 to 2018, he played for the Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Dodgers with mixed results. But a turning point came in 2019 when he joined the Toronto Blue Jays. His performance in the first half of the season with a 3.00 ERA caught the attention of the Washington Nationals, who were battling for an NL Wild Card spot. Hudson's stellar late-season performance and a 1.44 ERA over 24 innings solidified his role as a key reliever.

Hudson's postseason heroics with the Nationals were instrumental in their first World Series win. He delivered scoreless appearances in seven of nine outings during the playoffs, including his save in the Wild Card Game against the Brewers and securing the final out in Game 7 of the World Series.

After the Nationals, Hudson joined the San Diego Padres briefly in 2021 before returning to the Dodgers in 2022. Despite injuries, he managed a 2.69 ERA when he was on the mound. This season, Hudson posted a commendable 3.00 ERA over 63 innings, adding ten saves to his record.

Through his enduring career, Hudson pitched a total of 855 1/3 regular-season innings with a 3.74 ERA and 817 strikeouts in 537 appearances. In the postseason, he contributed 21 innings of effective relief. With two World Series championships, Hudson leaves behind a legacy of resilience and dedication to the sport.