So Long Mulder!

by Crapper Jon on May 30, 2008 10:43 AM PDT

This via MLB trade rumors.

Mark Mulder, who has made three starts since 2006, announced that he would retire rather than have a third surgery on his ailing shoulder.

He will always be one of my favorite Athletic. It was a shame that he burnt out this fast. I know I was very upset when we traded him, but as they say here "in Billy we trust." Maybe had he shut it down sooner in 2004 his arm could have saved some wear and tear, but who knows.

I wish him the best of luck in his next career!

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

You act as if it is a foregone conclusion that he will get that next shoulder surgery

granted, knowing Mulder, its like 99% but…

by Zonis on May 30, 2008 10:45 AM PDT reply actions

That sucks... poor Mark... :(

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on May 30, 2008 10:56 AM PDT reply actions

Not retired yet

It sounds more like he’s pretty depressed about his shoulder trouble (understandable), but that he still is working on figuring it out. I think the subject line overhypes the actual article.

by el generico on May 30, 2008 11:06 AM PDT reply actions

Sounds like a perfect candidate for the Mike Marshall

school of pitching.

And yes, your post make its seem like retirement was already announced when instead it should be titled “Mulder’s Pissed About Arm” or something like that.

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 11:13 AM PDT reply actions

I was going to say the same thing, because I'm a broken record on this!!

He really has nothing to lose—he’s earned a lot of money, he’s qualified for the pension, and if he still has the desire to pitch in the majors, he could go train in Florida and shock everybody.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 30, 2008 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

dude.

super mis-leading post. I thought he had officially announced his retirement or something.

"Ryan [Sweeney] has got the perfect baseball body..." -Mike Sweeney

by Christine on May 30, 2008 11:20 AM PDT reply actions

I had a dream last night

that the A’s signed both Hudson and Mulder again. I was pretty excited… but it was pretty weird…

by whiteshoes40 on May 30, 2008 11:54 AM PDT reply actions

Hudson will be our closer in 2013.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on May 30, 2008 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I kinda hope that's not true...

I’m still pulling for his (very) outside shot at 300 wins. He’s still one of very few pitchers to reach double digits in wins, with a winning record, every season of his career.

by WhiteElephants on May 30, 2008 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Very misleading.

But damn, it’s hard to hear about the time Mulder’s having. :-( The guy was part of an epic time here, I can’t feel anything but good wishes for the guy. It’s crazy how he went from being the guy we expected the A’s to hold on to, the guy to lead us into the future as the best balance of talent and health of the Big 3… to suffering season after season.

Poor Mulder. :-(

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on May 30, 2008 12:15 PM PDT reply actions

Thing was, when the A's traded Mulder, there wern't any (to my recolections) concerns about his arm or shoulder

they were all about if his hip was fully healed or not, and if it that caused his bad 2nd half.

And we’ve seen Chad Guadin come back from a hip injury, which hurt his 2nd half numbers, to pitch well, so its like like the Cardinals had no hopes of Mulder getting back to his former self. Indeed, he pitched very well his first year with them.

by Zonis on May 30, 2008 1:06 PM PDT reply actions

Cards messed up with Mulder

He hurt his back during his 2nd season with them, rather then 15-day DLing him they kept running him out there. The back pain caused him to adjust his mechanics, pretty soon his shoulder was hurting him.

Still the Cards kept sending him out to pitch.

Near the end, Mulder was using a different motion with every pitch, trying to find an angle that didn’t hurt.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on May 30, 2008 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Sad for Mulder.

I loved him as an Athletic.

by IM4Oakgal on May 30, 2008 7:48 PM PDT reply actions

Hudson and Mulder...

...were my two favorites. :(

"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish

by Sharon on May 31, 2008 11:43 AM PDT reply actions

1998 doesn't seem very long ago

I remember the day the A’s drafted him. I had just come back to my truck after an early season backpacking trip in the Sierras. I’m parked at the trail head and start up the truck and on the radio the first thing I hear is the announcement of Mulder’s drafting (2nd overall pick). It psyched me up… somehow I knew he was going to play a big part in the A’s resurgence.

Here’s to you Mulder… you were an awesome A.

by Brian in 317 on May 31, 2008 11:56 AM PDT reply actions