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Former Tigers, Rays Closer Fernando Rodney Set to Continue Career in Canada

Fernando Rodney made three All-Star appearances and won a World Series over the course of his 17-year MLB career and was added to the Hall of Fame ballot earlier this month.
Sam Connon|
Aug 4, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) shoots an imaginary bow and arrow after defeating the San Francisco Giants at Tropicana Field. The Rays won 4-3.
Aug 4, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) shoots an imaginary bow and arrow after defeating the San Francisco Giants at Tropicana Field. The Rays won 4-3. | Kim Klement-Imagn Images

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Tampa Bay RaysDetroit TigersSeattle MarinersLos Angeles AngelsSan Diego PadresWashington Nationals

Fernando Rodney may be 47 years old, five seasons removed from his last MLB appearance, but he isn't done pitching just yet.

The Hamilton Cardinals have signed Rodney for the 2025 season, the team announced Thursday. The right-handed reliever, who has spent the past few years pitching in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, will now be taking his talents to Canada as part of the Intercounty Baseball League.

Rodney was added to the Baseball Writers' Association of America's ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this month.

Rodney got his start with the Detroit Tigers all the way back in 2002, and he remained with the club through 2009. After spending two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Rodney joined the Tampa Bay Rays and suddenly became one of the top closers in baseball.

In 2012, Rodney posted a 0.60 ERA, 0.777 WHIP, 48 saves and a 3.7 WAR, finishing fifth in AL Cy Young voting an 13th in AL MVP voting. Rodney also debuted his signature bow and arrow celebration that season.

Rodney left the Rays in 2014, joining the Seattle Mariners en route to a second All-Star appearance. He made it to the Midsummer Classic again with the San Diego Padres in 2016, and he won his first and only World Series ring with the Washington Nationals in 2019.

Over the years, Rodney also pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics. He finished his MLB career 48-71 with a 3.80 ERA, 1.373 WHIP, 943 strikeouts and a 7.4 WAR.

Rodney's 327 career saves rank No. 19 in league history. He broke the 25-save mark seven times, reaching 48 in both 2012 and 2014.

In his international career, Rodney is 13-5 with 3.09 ERA, 1.238 WHIP, 192 strikeouts and 58 saves.

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer covering baseball for “Fastball on SI.’’ He previously covered UCLA Athletics for On SI’s All Bruins site, and is a UCLA graduate, with his work there as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for On SI’s New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Sam lives in Boston.

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