Gio Urshela Announces Retirement from Baseball

MLB infielder Gio Urshela shared on Monday that he is retiring from professional baseball at the age of 34.

Urshela’s major league career spanned 10 seasons, with most of his time spent with the New York Yankees between 2019 and 2021. He also played for teams like the Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and Athletics.

In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Urshela reflected, “Today is that day. A day I never dreamed of, a day I never imagined, a day I never expected to come… but deep down, I know that day would come eventually.” He described this moment as not one of sadness, but rather a time to express gratitude for the opportunities baseball has provided him.

He acknowledged the impact of the sport on his life, mentioning the incredible people he met along the way: “Through baseball, I have met some amazing people who have contributed tremendously to my career and helped shape me into the person I am today.”

Urshela expressed appreciation for his family and supporters from Colombia for their unwavering support throughout his journey. He added, “Thank you to all those who, in one way or another, helped make my career better. I will always have you in my heart and the beautiful memories will stay with me forever.”

He made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians in 2015 and played in 81 games with them. His last season was with the Athletics, where he recorded a .238 batting average with 20 RBIs across 59 games, before joining Columbia for the World Baseball Classic.

In total, Urshela ends his career with a .270 batting average, 73 home runs, and 352 RBIs. It’s a bittersweet end, really, as he leaves behind a legacy and countless memories on the field.