Jul 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (18) pitches during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports Matt Cain will retire after this season.
On Saturday, September 30th, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain will make the final start of his thirteen-year big-league career against the Padres at AT&T Park. A first-round pick of the Giants in 2002, Cain pitched his entire career with the Giants, winning three World Series in 2010, 2012, 2014, and appearing in three All-Star games. For his career, Cain will finish with a 104-118 record, 3.69 ERA, 1.229 WHIP, 1690 strikeouts, and 30.3 WAR across 2080.2 innings, and 341 games.
Prior to facing reoccurring shoulder injuries, from 2009-2012, when Cain made his three All-Star appearances, he was amongst the best pitchers in baseball, with seasonal averages of 14 wins, 33 starts, 180 strikeouts, 220 innings pitched, a 2.93 ERA, and a 1.096 WHIP. When the Giants made their first run to the World Series in 2010, Cain was at his very best, serving as the team’s ace and going 21.1 innings across three starts (one in each playoff round) without giving up an earned run, going 2-0 in the process. The 2012 World Series run brought more of the same success for Cain, as he started and won all three series-clinching games for the Giants following a regular season where he set career bests with 16 wins, 193 strikeouts, and a 2.79 ERA.
Cain had the following to say about his retirement: “Saturday will be the last time I put on a Giants uniform.” “I can’t see myself going somewhere else to play for another team. This organization has meant so much to me, so much to my family. It’s something that’s dear to my heart.”
In 2012, Cain signed what was at the time the highest paying contract ever for a right-handed starter, agreeing to a five-year contract extension worth a guaranteed $112.5 million through 2017 with an option for 2018. On June 22nd, 2012, Cain made history by throwing the 22nd perfect game in baseball history against the Houston Astros, the first ever for a Giants’ pitcher. In a 10-0 victory, Cain threw 125 pitches and tied Sandy Koufax for the most strikeouts ever in a perfect game with 14, and for the highest game score recorded by a pitcher in a perfecto.
For his career, Cain finishes tenth amongst Giants’ pitchers in WAR, sixth in K/9, and fifth in strikeouts. Despite making 26 appearances this season, “The Horse” has made it clear he is ready to retire, adding, “I think it feels as if it is the right time and I want to be able to enjoy it. I want to be able to enjoy this last weekend and have fun with it.”
