Cat Osterman plans on retirement following 2021 season
Left-handed pitcher Cat Osterman, an Olympic gold medalist in 2004 and a silver medalist in 2008, will retire after the 2021 season. The 37-year-old player is set this summer to compete in her third Olympic Games and will also look to defend her title in the second season of Athlete Unlimited, before hanging up her spikes. The US professional softball league announced the signing of the veteran hurler for the 2021 season, along with nine other players.
We're pretty lucky we'll get to witness the 🐐 for one more season in an Athletes Unlimited uniform 🙌🏻 @catosterman
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) February 3, 2021
You won't wanna miss it. #BeUnlimited pic.twitter.com/7DVLz4Bdua
“I’m really excited to return for Athletes Unlimited’s second year. Year one was an incredible experience, on and off the field, which made playing one more time an easy decision. I look forward to another amazing time and ending my career once and for all here in the U.S.,” said Osterman.
Osterman retired for the first time in 2015, after an already decorated career. In addition to her Olympic medals, she is a two-time WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship winner and a three-time Pan American Games gold medallist. She came out of retirement in 2018 vying for another chance to compete in the Olympics. She was named to the USA Olympic Team in October 2019.
You might also be interested in:
- Olympic gold medallist Cat Osterman nominated for US Sports Academy Athlete of the Month award
- Olympic champion Cat Osterman crowned first-ever Athletes Unlimited champion
- USA Softball’s Osterman, McCleney, Mulipola discuss upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
- Road to Tokyo Olympics: Mexico, USA Women’s National Softball Teams to clash in 3-game series
- USA Softball Olympic Team reassembles in Florida for training camp
- Athens 2004: USA dominates to win third straight Olympic softball gold medal
Highlighted by Osterman’s return, Athlete Unlimited announced the signing of the first 10 players for its second season, including Victoria Hayward (Canada), Haylie McCleney (USA), Danielle O’Toole (Mexico) and Erika Piancastelli (Italy), all of them are expected to compete at the Tokyo Games. The 10-player group is completed by Hannah Flippen (USA Softball Olympic team reserve), Aleshia Ocasio (Puerto Rico), Haylie Wagner, Jessica Warren and Megan Wiggins.
Osterman earned the most individual points among the elite players in the inaugural Athletes Unlimited season and was crowned champion after five weeks of competition. Warren, Piancastelli and Hayward rounded out the top four players in the league, while McCleney was named defensive player of the season.
