Jason Heyward Announces Retirement After a Distinguished Career
Jason Heyward has had a notable career in baseball, marked by five Gold Gloves, an All-Star appearance, and a celebrated World Series victory.
After spending 16 years in the MLB, the 36-year-old outfielder has decided to retire. He shared this news on Friday during an interview with MLB Central, expressing excitement about taking on a mentorship role for younger players entering the league.
“I’m looking forward to being a mentor to the young players who are going to play and the players who are currently in the game. I feel like this game is going well in that sense and I’m looking forward to being a fan and giving back in other ways,” Heyward remarked.
He extended his gratitude to everyone who supported him throughout his journey, including fans, teammates, coaches, and the ownership. “Thank you for helping me make my dream come true,” he added.
Originally from New Jersey but raised in Georgia, Heyward was selected in the first round of the 2007 draft by the Atlanta Braves, making his major league debut in 2010. Remarkably, in his first at-bat, he hit a three-run home run at Turner Field.
This strong start led to a memorable rookie season, where he earned a spot on the National League All-Star team and finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting behind Buster Posey.
Heyward spent four additional years with the Braves, clinching his first two Gold Gloves before being traded to the Cardinals ahead of the 2015 season. That year, he claimed another Gold Glove Award while maintaining a .797 OPS in St. Louis and signed an eight-year, $184 million deal with the Cubs.
Although that contract didn’t yield the expected results, as he posted a .245 batting average over seven seasons, his defensive skills earned him two more awards.
However, one of the highlights of his career was when he delivered an inspiring speech to his Cubs teammates during a rain delay in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, after the team extended its lead over the Indians. The Cubs would ultimately win the championship for the first time in 108 years.
After the victory, Heyward told reporters, “I told them I love them. I told them I was proud of how they went through everything together. I said they all need to look in the mirror and know that everyone contributed to this season and where we are at this point.” He added, “I said, ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen or how we’re going to do it, but let’s just try to get a W.’”
Following his time in Chicago, Heyward played for the Dodgers and Astros before wrapping up his career with the Padres last season. Over his career, he notched 186 home runs, 730 RBIs, and maintained a .744 OPS.
