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Barry Zito is walking away from baseball.

The 37-year-old made the announcement Monday in an essay on The Player's Tribune.

"I'm retiring today from baseball, but I'll never be too far away from the game that made me who I am," Zito wrote. "I am beyond thankful to be at peace with walking away, thanks in large part to my year of renewal in Nashville with the Sounds. My return to Oakland last month was a 'cherry on top' moment in my life that my family and I will never forget. I will no doubt be in the stands on both sides of the Bay in years to come."

Zito owned a career 165-143 record with a 4.04 ERA. He won the 2002 Cy Young award, was a three-time All-Star and earned a World Series ring in 2012 with the San Francisco Giants.

Thumbnail photo via Lance Iversen/USA TODAY Sports Images