Oct 5, 2018; Indians relief pitcher Cody Allen (37) delivers a pitch during the sixth inning in game one of the 2018 ALDS playoff baseball series against the Astros. © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Indians all-time saves leader Cody Allen retires

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Feb 17, 2021 1:51 PM ET

Right-handed relief pitcher Cody Allen turned only 32 years old in November and had received some interest from clubs ahead of spring training.

As MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted, the former Cleveland Indians closer has instead elected to retire.

Cody Allen, 32, drew some interest but has decided to retire. Nice career. 153 saves, all but four of them with the Indians. Was the closer of their 2016 World Series team, pitching in 4 WS games, and allowing no runs while striking out 12 in 6 innings, and saving Game 3, 1-0.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 17, 2021

Per the Associated Press and ESPN, Allen rides off into the sunset as Cleveland's all-time leader in saves with 149. He also tallied more career appearances (456) and strikeouts (564) than any other Cleveland relief pitcher in history.

Cleveland acquired Allen in the 23rd round of the 2011 MLB Draft, and he served as the club's main closer from 2014 through 2018. He was respected as one of the best relief pitchers in all of baseball in 2016 when Cleveland advanced to the World Series but fell to the Chicago Cubs in seven games.

Allen pitched for the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and signed with the Texas Rangers ahead of the scheduled start of the 2020 season that was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He didn't record an MLB appearance last year.

Cleveland honored Allen and also made the news official on Wednesday:

From a 23rd round draft pick to the franchise saves .

Congrats on a great career, Cody.

Happy Retirement pic.twitter.com/85SiPff40B
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) February 17, 2021

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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