Valuable Rangers lefty announces retirement two years after World Series flourish

Former Rangers left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney announces retirement two years after winning World Series with Texas

Two years after playing a vital role in the Texas Rangers' first World Series championship in franchise history, lefty Andrew Heaney has announced his retirement via social media.

“I will miss the game greatly, but all of my experiences and the lasting relationships have made me a better person,” Heaney, 34, wrote.  “The routine of showing up to the yard every day and working to improve each time out has been a driving force for me…I am now ready to return my focus and energy to being a husband, father, family man, and active member of my community.  I’m retiring from baseball, but I hope to give back more than I received.  Thank you to all of you for the love and support you have given me.  Y’all know who you are.”

During the 2023 regular season, Heaney posted a 4.15 ERA with 151 strikeouts and 23 walks across 147 1/3 innings. Then, he made several important outings for Texas during the 2023 postseason.

In 2023 ALDS Game 1 against the Baltimore Orioles, Heaney surrendered just one earned run in 3 2/3 innings to lead the Rangers to a 3-2 victory. He struggled in ALCS Game 4 against the Houston Astros, allowing three earned runs in 2/3 of an inning, but redeemed himself in Game 6 of the series by throwing a scoreless ninth inning to end the game, giving the Rangers a 9-2 win.

Heaney pitched a scoreless 2/3 of an inning in the Rangers' 9-1 loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 2 of the World Series. Then, in Game 4, he started and allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts across five innings en route to earning the win as Texas defeated Arizona 11-7.

Heaney pitched for the Rangers in 2024 as well, posting a 4.28 ERA with 159 strikeouts and 41 walks in 160 innings. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2024-25 offseason. He had a 5.39 ERA in 120 1/3 innings with Pittsburgh before being designated for assignment in late August. He signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 1. He had just one appearance with the Dodgers, allowing three earned runs in two innings.

Heaney made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2014. He played for the Los Angeles Angels from 2015-2021, the New York Yankees in 2021 and the Dodgers in 2022 before signing with Texas.