Right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann – born and still living in Auburndale, near Marshfield, in Wood County – has announced that he is retiring from Major League Baseball.
Zimmermann made two relief appearances for the Brewers since signing as a free agent in February, compiling an 0-0 record and a 7.94 ERA with no saves.
He's 95-91 with a 4.07 ERA lifetime, and a two-time All-Star.
He also tossed the first no-hitter in Washington Nationals team history on Sept. 28, 2014 against Miami.
Zimmermann's 1.92 walks per nine innings during his Major League career is behind only the Braves' Josh Tomlin (1.32) among active pitchers who have thrown at least 1,000 innings.
"I have had the joy of playing the game that I love for the past 15 years," said Zimmermann in a statement released Tuesday. "I will forever be thankful to the Washington Nationals and Detroit Tigers for allowing me to live out this dream. It has been particularly special to be able to end it all playing for my hometown team, the Milwaukee Brewers.
"Thank you to all of my friends, teammates and family members who have been by my side throughout this incredible journey. I will miss the game greatly, but I'm ready for the new phase of my life."
Zimmermann, who turns 35 later this month, has played 13 seasons in the bigs with Washington (2009-15), Detroit (2016-20) and Milwaukee (2021).
"On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to congratulate Jordan on a long and distinguished career," said Brewers President of Baseball Operations David Stearns. "We are thrilled that Jordan was ultimately able to wear the uniform of his hometown team, and we wish he and his family all the best in retirement."
Zimmermann was selected by Washington in the second round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of the Division III University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
