Matt Clement Calls it a Career

Former Cubs pitcher Matt Clement, who has spent the last three years battling a bad shoulder, has elected to end his comeback bid with the Toronto Blue Jays and call it a career.  “ heart wasn’t in it, you could just tell,” said Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi.  “He’s come back from so much. He’s come a long way, and I give him credit for that. I think he was just tired of fighting, to be honest with you.”

Clement last pitched in a big league game with the Red Sox in 2006.  He toiled for the Cubs from 2002-2004 – after being acquired in the trade that sent Dontrelle Willis to the Marlins – and became a fan favorite thanks largely to his Abe Lincoln-like facial hair.  His best year with the Cubs was the (ultimately ill-fated) playoff season of 2003 when he went 14-12 with a 4.11 ERA.  Besides his goatee, Clement was noted for his hard sinking fastball and his tendency to put up big first halves of seasons before fading after the All-Star break.