2015 American League MVP Josh Donaldson announced Monday that he is retiring from MLB.
Donaldson, 38, explained why he hung up his cleats after 13 years in the league.
“There was a time at the end of the season where I was really happy with where I was, so I thought I’d give it another go,” he said in the mayor’s office with former MLB first baseman Sean Casey. “But today, being married and at home with my family, is both a sad and happy day for me. I’m going to announce my retirement.
“While I’m sad that I won’t be able to go out and play the game I love anymore, it’s also a great time to be with my family and start the next chapter of my life.”
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Josh Donaldson, No. 24, of the Minnesota Twins smiles and looks on during a spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium on March 11, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. . (Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
Donaldson’s decline has been evident over the past two seasons, hitting .222/.308/.374 with the New York Yankees in 2022. He was traded from the Minnesota Twins in his first season with the team. He then hit .152/.249/.418 in 50 games between the Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers.
But Donaldson’s impact on the game first came in 2013 with the Oakland Athletics, where he had a breakout season, hitting .301/.384/.499 with 24 home runs, 37 doubles, and 93 RBIs. The 27-year-old showed he is one of the top players in the world. Best third baseman in MLB.
Yankees’ Josh Donaldson fined and suspended for one game for ‘Jackie Robinson’ comment
New York Yankees singles No. 28 Josh Donaldson during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on July 5, 2023 in New York, New York. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
He made his first All-Star appearance in the American League in 2014, but his best season was arguably 2015 with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he was named American League MVP with 123 RBIs and a .297/.371 batting average. It was a season in which he won. He had a batting average of .568, 41 home runs, and 122 RBIs.
Donaldson finished in the top 10 in MVP voting four times during his career, including with the Cleveland Guardians and Atlanta Braves.
“The Rainbringer” was primarily known for his aggressive foot kick, which resulted in 279 home runs and 816 RBIs during his 13-year career, but he was one of the smoothest third basemen in the league throughout his career.
Josh Donaldson of the Toronto Blue Jays arrives at the plate after hitting a home run in the first inning during the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox game at Rogers Center on May 8, 2015. 20 years old) is looking up at the sky. (David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
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Besides MVP, Donaldson won two Silver Sluggers.
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