Shushkewich: Hamilton will bring bats, balls, arrows in 2025 after signing Rodney
Former big-league closer Fernando Rodney (third from the left), owner of 227 saves, will bring his arm — and arrows — to the IBL’s Hamilton Cardinals next season. Photo: Hamilton Cardinals
November 29, 2024
By Tyson Shushkewich
Canadian Baseball Network
The Hamilton Cardinals of the Intercounty Baseball League have signed former Major League reliever and three-time All-Star Fernando Rodney to a contract for the 2025 season.
Rodney’s addition to the Cardinals brings veteran experience to the bullpen, as the right-hander posted 327 saves across 933 innings through parts of 17 big-league seasons. Suiting up for 11 different organizations, Rodney spent most of his career with the Detroit Tigers, collecting 70 saves from 2002 to 2009.
The former closer is widely known for his tilted hat and shooting an imaginary arrow into the air on the mound to celebrate the final out of the game. Conversely when teams have knocked him around opponents have done the same to him.
“Fernando Rodney is a true legend of the game,” Cardinals owner Eric Spearing stated in a release on the team’s website. “His career and passion are unmatched, and we are honoured that he has chosen to bring his talent and leadership to the Hamilton Cardinals.”
His last campaign in the majors came in 2019, where he split time between the Oakland A’s and the Washington Nationals, with Rodney retiring a World Series champion when he and the Nationals bested the Houston Astros in seven games.
The closer attempted a return to the big leagues during the condensed 2020 campaign with the Astros on a minor league deal but was released late in the season.
Since 2021, Rodney has suited up in the Mexican League during the summer months – winning a championship with the Toros de Tijuana – and pitched in the Dominican Winter League with Gigantes del Cibao each winter as well.
Outside of being sidelined for the entire 2004 season due to injury, the veteran hurler has pitched for an affiliated program from 1999 – his first year in the Tigers’ farm system to the 2023-24 winter months split between the Mexican and Dominican Leagues, spanning over 24 years. He did not pitch in 2024.
Rodney has never formally retired from the majors and is currently featured on the 2025 Hall of Fame ballot as a first-time nominee.
With a World Series championship in his back pocket, the veteran hurler heads to Hamilton to try and help the franchise earn their second championship and hoist the coveted Jack and Lynne Dominico Cup.