Mark Mulder Retires

Posted on June 24, 2010

Mark Mulder of the Oakland Athletics sits in the dugout during a game at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California in 2000. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

Ten years ago he was part of the Big Three. Now he is playing golf, winning amateur tournaments in Arizona. Former Oakland Athletic’s left-handed pitcher and two-time All-Star Mark Mulder has told AOL FanHouse writer Jeff Fletcher that he has retired from baseball. Mulder has not pitched since 2006. “I guess I am [retired],” he told FanHouse on Monday. “I haven’t touched a baseball since February.” I am really sad to hear this.

I had the chance to photograph Mulder’s entire career in Oakland, where he went 81-42, combining with Tim Hudson and Barry Zito to form the most dominating starting rotation in baseball. He was a joy to watch with his beautiful lefty delivery and quick pace. He threw so many games around the two hour mark that he ruined many fireworks nights in Oakland by dominating his opponents to fast that the fans would have to wait an hour for the sun to go down so they could see the light show above the Oakland Coliseum.

Mulder was at his peak in 2004 when he got the nod to start for All Star Game for the American League in Houston. I was there to shoot the game, and it was cool to see him on the mound, showing the national television audience what he could do.

On December 18, 2004 Mulder was traded by A’s general manager Billy Beane to the St. Louis Cardinals for Daric Barton, Kiko Calero and Dan Haren. This trade sent shock waves through the Bay Area, especially since Hudson was shipped off to the Braves two days earlier. Unfortunately, Mulder started having shoulder problems early in his days with the Cardinals. He ended up rehabbing from 2006-09. Many thought Mulder was close to making one last comeback try in 2010.

“I was working out last winter with this guy who was very different,” Mulder said. “He trained in Europe with these javelin throwers and he understood the shoulder. I worked out with him for months and did all these crazy stretches. I got so strong and so loose. My shoulder felt good, but when it came time to throw sides, it had nothing to do with velocity or arm strength, but my delivery. My arm didn’t get where it needed to be at the right time. It was like my arm moved too slow. That’s what I dealt with ever since 2006. I never got over that hump. It was like I was always one step away from being good to go.”

Mulder abandoned his comeback attempt in February. He will spend his time with his family in Scottsdale (wife and two kids, ages 2 and 7 months) and playing in golf tournaments. The 32-year-old Mulder is a zero-handicapper and plays about four times a week.

I am sorry to see Mulder’s career end. He finishes his big league career with an incredible 103-60 record. It was a pleasure watching him throw.

Mark Mulder Retires – Images by Brad Mangin