A former Toronto Blue Jays fan favourite has decided to call it quits after 17 seasons in baseball.
Ex-Blue Jays pitcher Jay Jackson has officially announced his retirement at the age of 37 according to a new report from Fansided‘s Robert Murray. Jackson spent last season with the Minnesota Twins where he appeared in 17 games but struggled with a 6.85 ERA and a 1-2 record.
“Veteran MLB reliever Jay Jackson is retiring after 17 seasons in baseball. He’d love to work for a team and is also open to a career in broadcasting, his agent Nello Gamberdino said,” reported Murray.
Veteran MLB reliever Jay Jackson is retiring after 17 seasons in baseball. He’d love to work for a team and is also open to a career in broadcasting, his agent Nello Gamberdino said.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 29, 2025
The retirement did seem to come out of nowhere for Jackson. While he was not able to ink a deal with an MLB team for the 2025 season, he recently signed on with the Mexican League’s Bravos de León back in February.
Jackson did attempt to stay in the Major Leagues this season and he revealed earlier this year that he was very interested in reuniting with the Blue Jays over the offseason. However, Toronto was less interested in a reunion with Jackson and opted to look elsewhere for pitching help.
Though he only spent a single season with the Blue Jays in 2023, he quickly established himself as a fan favourite. During that year, Jackson was able to register a 2.12 ERA in 25 appearances. He was eventually DFA’d right before the postseason and elected free agency after the season officially ended.
Outside of Toronto and Minnesota, Jackson also made appearances with the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Atlanta Braves. He also had two different stints in Japan where he played with the NPB’s Hiroshima Toyo Carp and Chiba Lotte Marines.
Jackson was initially drafted 281st overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2008 MLB Draft.
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