Newark Native Derek Holland Calls It a Career

NEWARK, OH

Newark’s own Derek Holland has officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after fourteen seasons on the mound.

“The Dutch Oven” was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 25th round of the 2006 draft out of Wallace State Community College in Alabama before making his professional debut in 2009, where he was the number two rated prospect in the Rangers organization according to Baseball America.

He finishes his career with a 4.62 earned run average with over 1200 strikeouts to his name. He also spent time with the Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and then with the Detroit Tigers for his final stop back in 2021. In 2023, Holland signed with the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional baseball, making five bullpen appearances with a 2.25 ERA and five strikeouts.

The 2005 Newark High School Hall of Fame graduate is stepping away from baseball after nearly a decade and a half in the big leagues.