Former Astros World Series Pitcher Retires

Former Astros 2017 World Series pitcher, Francisco Liriano, retires.

Following a few weeks after the retirement of Cameron Maybin, another 2017 Houston Astros World Series contributor retires. This time, it is one of the hurlers, as Robert Murray of FanSided reports that Francisco Liriano is retiring.

Liriano came to Houston via a trade from the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielders Nori Aoki and Teoscar Hernandez, which came back to bite the Astros down the road. Hernandez is now an All-Star with above-average numbers at the plate in his Blue Jay tenure.

The trade benefitted the Astros then, especially with a full outfield for years to come. Hernandez’s shot at starting at a corner outfield spot by 2019 was slim. Aoki is now out of Major League Baseball, while an Opening Day starter for Houston in 2017 and a fan favorite by some.

Liriano’s deal was soon outshadowed, as the Astros reeled in Justin Verlander at the waiver deadline.

Liriano’s stint in Houston only lasted less than half a season, while acquired at the trade deadline in July. After arriving, the left-handed starter appeared in 20 games, none being starts.

In that stretch, Liriano posted a 4.40 ERA and a 6.9 strikeout per nine innings, which were some of his most inflated numbers in his career. When the postseason came, the left-hander pitched 2.1 innings in relief, allowing one run.

Following the 2017 season, Liriano was granted free agency. The left-hander explored new beginnings in Detroit with the Tigers, joining Mike Fiers.

After a 14-year career in Major League Baseball, Liriano made one All-Star team and took home one World Series ring for his contributions in 2017. Although opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, the 38-year-old didn’t make it to the majors in 2021, before retiring on Monday.