Paying Tribute to a Legend: Three-Time Olympic Medalist Cat Osterman Announces Retirement
By
@BruntjensElla
September 29, 2021
Cat Osterman in action for Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics held this Summer. Photo: Team USA.
If you followed our coverage of the final game Monday in Athletes Unlimited play, you know that pitching legend Cat Osterman went out with a bang, throwing a one-hitter in 6.2 innings, to not only to close out her second season with the league, but also to finish her esteemed softball career (note: she was the Athletes Unlimited individual champion in Season 1).
USA Softball issued a nice release on Tuesday honoring Cat for her amazing contributions to the sport… below is the release in its entirety.
First though, we run a statement from the athlete herself from her website CatOsterman.comas she talks to “Softball” directly and explains why now is the right time for her to step down…
Simply known by the softball world as “Cat,” the pitcher will go down as one of the all-time greats. Photo: CatOsterman.com.
Dear Softball,
It’s time this intimate relationship we’ve had ends. It’s not you… it’s me. You’ve had my heart for 28 years, and now I need it back, to invest it elsewhere. New experiences, my family, and cheering on everyone else who loves you. Let’s be real, this hasn’t been a monogamous relationship! I share you with millions of others!
You’ve given me a second & third chance. You accepted and understood my change of heart and mind, while granting me so many amazing moments. And more importantly, you gave me so many amazing people.
This last chapter taught me what pure joy was. You allowed me to grow in so many ways with incredible women. You granted me things I didn’t even know I needed. You helped me show a young girl what hard work, dedication and love can add up to, and for all this I’m indebted to you.
You let me go out on a high, surrounded by so many I cherish and I’m grateful. It was perfect. But still, I need to move on.
Our tango on the field has ended, but I won’t be too far away. I’ll share all you’ve taught me with anyone and everyone. I’ll help others love you the way I have, and I’ll be cheering loudly as you grow and give my peers continuous challenges and successes.
For the last time as an athlete, I say Goodbye to you. ❤️
– #38
formerly #8
*****
Three-time Olympic medalist and long-time USA Softball Women’s National Team member Cat Osterman announces retirement
Cat and catcher Dejah Mulipola are all smiles after a big win over Japan in 2019. Photo by USA Softball.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Three-time Olympic medalist and legendary Team USA pitcher, Cat Osterman (Houston, Texas) has officially announced her retirement following a long-lasting career with the Red, White and Blue.
After retiring from the sport in 2015, Osterman returned to the field in 2019 with the sport of softball on the brink of its return to the Olympic stage.
“I’m so blessed for all this game has given me,” said Osterman. “This last chapter was filled with more than I could’ve imagined, and I will always be appreciative for my time in this game. It’s been an honor to wear the Red, White and Blue, and I thank USA Softball for all they have done for the Women’s National Team, the sport and myself.”
The lefty veteran has helped Team USA to three Pan American Games gold medals (2003, 2007, 2019), two World Championship gold medals (2006, 2010) and three Olympic medals (2004, 2008, 2020) throughout her 13-year career with the USA Softball Women’s National Team (WNT).
Team USA Head Coach Ken Eriksen
Capping her final season on Team USA with a silver medal finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Osterman totaled a 7-1 record through her three Olympic appearances, picking up two wins at the 2004 Athens Olympics, three wins at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and two wins at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“This is the start of a new chapter for one of the greatest competitors, pitchers, representatives of softball, and one of the greatest people to ever wear the USA uniform,” said 2020-21 U.S. Olympic Softball Coach, Ken Eriksen.
“Cat’s career has had an impact on the way the game has been viewed by both women and men. She has left an indelible mark on the game as well as on many people across the country. I have been one of the luckiest people to have been around her all these years while witnessing her historic career.”
Athens Olympics (2004)
Osterman began her Olympic appearances at the age of 21 in the 2004 Athens Olympics where Team USA was dubbed “The Real Dream Team” after posting an undefeated 9-0 record with eight consecutive shutout wins en route to the gold medal. Osterman’s contribution to the dominance of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Softball Team was paramount, tossing two shutout wins and retiring 23 batters with a strikeout.
Beijing Olympics (2008)
The lefty continued to shine at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, leading the U.S. pitching staff with 33 strikeouts but was met with a heartbreak in the gold medal game with a 3-1 loss to Japan to earn the silver medal.
Tokyo Olympics (2021)
After returning from a three-year retirement from the sport, Osterman was one of two Olympians on the 2020-21 U.S. Olympic Softball Team who helped Team USA to their fifth-straight Olympic gold medal game. Osterman came out firing in the opening round, fanning nine Italy batters in Game 1 followed by another stellar performance in Game 3 in which she retired the last 15 Mexico batters she faced in order.
Advancing to her third-consecutive Olympic gold medal game, the outcome was short of what she hoped for but was an accomplishment that extended further than the playing field.
“Obviously it’s a heartbreak to not come home with the gold, but at the same time – you have a silver medal. How many people would give for that? So, learn from it but also just accept where you are in the present moment. To all the little girls out there, keep dreamin’ the dream,” said Osterman in a post-game interview at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
USA Softball National Teams Director Chris Sebren
Cat’s USA Softball Impact
At the age of 38, Osterman has been a part of several USA Softball rosters – transitioning from a rookie at the age of 20 to now a decorated veteran as her historic career comes to an end. She has touched the lives of many former and current teammates, coaches and fans throughout her storied playing career and will forever be a special member of the Red, White and Blue.
“Cat set the tone of her career when she pitched against the 2000 Olympic Team in an exhibition game in Houston, Texas,” said USA Softball National Teams Director, Chris Sebren.
“I think at that point – if not before – everyone in the softball world knew how special she would be. Her longevity in the game and coming out of retirement to perform the way she has the last three years has been incredible to witness. She went all out when she was preparing for the 2019 National Team Trials, and that same work ethic continued through the Tokyo Olympic Games. We can’t thank Cat enough for being a part of USA Softball for so long and we look forward to and appreciate her continued involvement with our organization in the future.”
*****
Cat’s Bio: Olympic & College Highlights
Cat finishes her Olympic career with three medals: one Gold and two Silver. Photo: USA Softball.
Cat was a three-time National Player of the Year at Texas. Photo – CatOsterman.com
Other International Career Highlights
2019 Japan Cup Gold Medalist; Went 1-0 in the circle with 7 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in 5.1 innings pitched
2019 Pan American Games Gold Medalist; Went 1-1 in the circle with 18 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA in 9.1 innings pitched
2007 Pan American Games Gold Medalist
2003 Pan American Games Gold Medalist
Collegiate Bio (Texas)
Led the Longhorns to three Women’s College World Series appearances (2003, 2005 & 2006)
Earned WCWS all tournament honors two times
Only three-time winner of the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year (2003, 2005 & 2006)
Four-time NFCA First-team All American
2005 & 2006 ESPY Award winner as the Top Collegiate Female Athlete
2005 & 2006 Honda Award Winner for softball
Four-time Big 12 Pitcher of the Year
Holds Big 12 record with 25 “Pitcher of the Week” honors
Holds UT career records in victories (136), ERA (0.51), shutouts (85), and no-hitters (20)
Holds the NCAA record for career strikeout ratio per seven innings (14.35)
Only player to win National Player of the Year honors three times
2004 Olympic Gold medalist, 2005-06 Honda Softball Player of the Year, 2006 ESPY Award winner for Best Female Collegiate Athlete, and the 2005-06 Sportswomen of the Year Award for a Team Sport
Posted the lowest ERA in the NCAA (2003, 2006, 2007) and remains the only player in NCAA history to lead the nation in ERA three times
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