Former Royals pitcher Jeremy Affeldt announces retirement

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Jeremy Affeldt announced his retirement Thursday on Sports Illustrated’s web site. It will be effective at the end of the season.

Affeldt made his debut with the Royals in 2002, and was with the team until the middle of the 2006 season when he was traded to the Rockies. He signed for the Reds in 2008, then signed with the San Francisco Giants the following year.

With the Giants, he won three World Series titles. He also made the World Series with the Rockies in 2007.

“I feel like I’ve put together a career where I don’t have to play or I can play,” Affeldt told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I don’t have to do anything. My October stats, I know what they are. I’m not going to lie. If I keep playing, fine. If I don’t, I have nothing to be disappointed about, no regrets.”

In the Sports Illustrated piece, Affeldt said there were five things he wouldn’t miss once he retires, including Wrigley Field and the incessant showboating in the game today.

Affeldt was 17-22 with a 4.77 ERA and 17 saves in 184 games (42 starts) with the Royals. For his career, Affeldt has a 43-46 record with a 3.97 ERA and 28 saves. He has a career postseason ERA of 0.86 in 33 appearances.