Minnesota Twins

Former Twins closer Perkins announces retirement

Published Jan. 24, 2018 12:56 p.m. ET

Glen Perkins is hanging up the cleats.

The longtime Minnesota Twins pitcher and former Golden Gopher officially announced his retirement Wednesday on Twitter.

Selected by Minnesota in the first round of the 2004 draft, Perkins spent his entire career with the Twins. In his 12-year run with Minnesota, Perkins compiled a 35-25 record and 120 saves, which ranks third in Twins history. He whiffed 504 hitters in 624 1/3 innings while recording a 3.88 ERA.

Shoulder injuries slowed down the Stillwater, Minn., native late in his career, as Perkins appeared in just 7 2/3 innings the past two seasons.

Perkins was named an All-Star from 2013-15 and recorded a save in the 2014 midsummer classic in front of thousands of Twins fans at Target Field, one of the many highlights from the southpaw's career.

“It was a moment like that where you realize why you play the game and what makes the game so fun, and it’s the fans in the stands,” Perkins said.

As Perkins mentioned in his tweet, he'll keep plenty busy in retirement with his three daughters and as a home brewer, a hobby he started in 2014.