New York Yankees shortstop Troy Tulowitzki announced his retirement from Major League Baseball Thursday.
A veteran of 13 Major League seasons, the 34-year-old is hanging his cleats up after a career that saw him finish with five all-star appearances, two Gold Glove awards, two Silver Slugger awards and a career batting line of .290/.361/.495 with 225 home runs in 5,415 plate appearances.
Tulowitzki announced his retirement in a press release.
“I wanted to take this opportunity to announce my retirement as a Major League Baseball player,” the statement read.
“For as long as I can remember, my dream was to compete at the highest level as a Major League Baseball Player … to wear a big league uniform and play hard for my teammates and the fans. I will forever be grateful for every day that I’ve had to live out my dream. It has been an absolute honour.”
Throughout his career, Tulowitzki played for three organizations: The Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays and, most recently, the New York Yankees.
In his statement, Tulowitzki thanked each organization.
“I will always look back with tremendous gratitude for having the privilege of playing as long as I did. There is no way to truly express my gratitude to the fans of Colorado, Toronto and New York. They always made my family and I feel so welcome.”
Best known for his days with the Rockies, who drafted him seventh overall in 2005 and spent 10 seasons with, Tulowitzki ranks within the top 10 of numerous Rockies franchise batting categories including home runs, OPS and RBI.
He was traded to the Blue Jays on July 28, 2015 where he helped the club reach the post-season that year and in 2016 for the first time since the club last won the World Series in 1993.
His end in Toronto wasn’t nearly as ceremonious as his arrival, however, as a hamstring injury and later an ankle ailment that developed into a bone spur in his right ankle led to him playing just 66 games in the 2017 season and to miss the entire 2018 campaign.
On Dec. 11, 2018, the Blue Jays released Tulowitzki with two years remaining on his contract and $38 million still owed to him.
Following his release from Toronto, Tulowitzki signed a one-year contract with the Yankees on Jan. 4. But after getting into just five games, he suffered a calf injury that originally landed him on the 10-day injured list that saw him hit a setback during a rehab stint which led him to get transferred to the 60-day IL and now retirement.
“I want to thank the Yankees organization and Brian Cashman for giving me the opportunity to wear the Yankees uniform and live out another childhood dream,” Tulowitzki wrote in his statement. “I wish that my health had allowed for a different ending to that chapter.”
And though this is the end to Tulowitzki’s playing days, it doesn’t look like he’s willing to end his baseball journey just yet.
“While this chapter is now over, I look forward to continuing my involvement in the game that I love … instructing and helping young players to achieve their goals and dreams.
“I’m saying goodbye to Major League Baseball, but I will never say goodbye 2 the game I love. Thanks again 2 all of you!”
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