A pitcher who debuted more than two decades ago announced his retirement on Friday, closing out a career that includes a league record for career strikeouts he set just last month.
"I always said I'd know when it was time," he told reporters at a press conference alongside his longtime teammates. "The record wasn't the goal. It just happened to show up at the end of a really long road."
Teammates and opposing players alike paid tribute across social media, with several current stars crediting him as the pitcher who taught them how to prepare between starts.
His number is expected to be retired by his longtime club in a ceremony next season, and multiple analysts have already flagged him as a lock for first-ballot hall of fame induction.