Great Falls’ increasingly fragile connection with major league baseball took another hit last week when Daniel Hudson announced his retirement after helping the Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series.
Hudson, a 37-year-old pitcher, finished his 16-year career in pro baseball as a valuable relief pitcher for the Dodgers, appearing in seven postseason games out of the bullpen.
Electric City fans fondly remember Hudson as a 21-year-old rookie right-hander who began his career with the Great Falls Voyagers of the Pioneer League back in 2008. Hudson, a fifth-round draft choice out of college, was the Voyagers’ top starter that summer 16 years ago, compiling a 5-4 record with a 3.36 earned run average.
That performance earned him a promotion in the Chicago White Sox farm system, and in September of 2009 he earned his first major league victory with Chicago. That also would be his last win for the Sox, who traded Hudson to the Arizona Diamondbacks the following winter.
Hudson flourished in his first two seasons in Arizona, posting a 7-1 mark his first season and a 16-12 record as a starter in 2011.
But his career was derailed by injuries, as he underwent Tommy John arm surgery in both 2012 and 2013, and spent much of his rehab time in the minor leagues over the next two years.
When he made it back to the big leagues, he was used in a relief role for a number of teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, L.A. Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals. He earned his first World Series ring as a reliever for the Nationals in 2019.
He finished his pro career in style, compiling a 6-2 record in 65 games this past season, striking out 63 batters in 63 innings.
Hudson’s departure from the majors means Great Falls baseball fans have one less former hero to root for. Since the Pioneer League lost its minor-league status five years ago, the eight teams – four of them in Montana – no longer have affiliations with major-league organizations. Our franchises technically are still professional teams in a “partner league,” but their players realistically have little chance to make it to the big leagues.
That’s why local fans were happy to see Hudson go out a winner, but sad to see an era come to a close.
Author: Staff
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