Cubs fan favorite from past playoff run just called it a career

Baseball casuals are aware of the journey former Chicago Cubs' relief pitcher Jesse Chavez has had in recent years, bouncing back and forth between the minor league and pitching at the Major League level with the Atlanta Braves. Despite Chavez being one step away from retirement, the Braves often turned to the veteran reliever when they were in need of bullpen help. Chavez has finally taken that step, as he revealed on Thursday that he is retiring from Major League Baseball.

At the age of 41, Chavez appeared in 4 games with the Braves this season, giving up 8 runs on 14 hits in 8 innings of work. Father Time was catching up to Chavez, and after being released by the Braves earlier this week, the veteran decided to call it a career.

Cubs reliever fans haven’t thought about in years just retired

Chavez had a brief run with the Cubs during their 2018 postseason run. Calling it a postseason run is a little generous, considering the Cubs were bounced in the Wild Card game by the Colorado Rockies, but Chavez was an anchor in the bullpen during the closing months of the season. In 32 appearances with the Cubs in 2018, Chavez posted a 1.15 ERA.

Given his success with the Cubs during the second half of the season, many fans were hoping the front office would bring the veteran back for the 2019 season. Instead, Chavez spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Texas Rangers. Of course, after the 2018 season, the Cubs' spending habits shifted significantly, likely one of the reasons why the veteran didn't return to the North Side for the 2019 season

Though in 2022, Chavez had a brief return to the Cubs, posting a 6.35 ERA in 5 2/3 innings of work. After his work with the Cubs in 2022, Chavez had stops with the Braves and the Los Angeles Angels. Over the last three seasons, Chavez pitched exclusively with the Braves at the Major League level.

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