Former Nationals starter John “Big Nasty” Patterson announced today that he has decided to call it a career and retire from baseball. Troubled by forearm problems, Patterson decided he had seen the writing on the wall and that retirement was best for him, his family, and the game. Nationals.com:

“It’s just one of those deals where you scratch your head and ask, ‘What went wrong?’” Patterson said. “I was taking care of myself and trying to do everything the right way. It just didn’t work out for me. After time, it starts to wear on you.

“I’m tired of hurting. I’m tired of going through the pain and putting in the work. It’s not moving forward. That’s the best way I can say it to you. … It’s a tough decision for me. It was not a decision I wanted to make.”

The Texas native was always plagued by the injury bug, but was able to say he had six seasons in the big leagues and was 18-25 with a 4.32 ERA during his career with the Diamondbacks, Expos and Nationals.

The NQ loved this guy on and off the field. On the field, few can forget his dominance on August 4th, 2005 against the Dodgers where he pitched a complete game shutout against the Dodgers (Nats won 7-0). Then how about those 13 strikeouts he tallied against the Florida Marlins on April 16, 2006? Incredible. A healthy Big Nasty when he was on was unstoppable and that is how we are always going to remember him.

We also remember Patterson as the only other guy (aside from myself) to completely woo and smitten Miss Natpenny with a smile. In 2007 Miss Natpenny actually got a chance to meet and talk with Patterson during Spring Training and she was completely charmed by him saying he was “sweet and gentlemenly.”

At first I wanted to find my dueling pistols and defend hers and mine honor at 20 paces.

Then I realized it was Big Nasty we were talking about and he could probably take my head off with a fastball at 30. So I forgave him.

Happy retirement, John and good luck in all that you do in the future– including hunting.

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