There have been many different players from all walks of life who have put on a MLB uniform.
Not every player has their impact felt within an organization.
However, some players become fan favorites for their contributions to a team.
One player that was a fan favorite in Atlanta was shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
He played with the Braves for the first four years of his career from 2012-2015.
He won two Gold Gloves and finished 14th in NL MVP voting during that time.
According to Fox Sports: MLB, after an 11-year career, Simmons has announced his retirement from baseball.
Andrelton Simmons announces his retirement from MLB. pic.twitter.com/07MOBUFNe5
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 29, 2023
Simmons last played in 2022, when he posted 34 games for the Chicago Cubs.
Injuries significantly hindered Simmons over the second half of his career.
But, being able to play 11 years in MLB is something to be proud of.
When most people thought about Simmons, his elite defense came to mind.
He is known for making highlight plays and having an elite throwing arm.
It is rare to find impact players known simply for their defense.
Simmons was one of those guys.
According to Codify, Simmons has three of the top-five best defensive WAR seasons of the past 30 years.
Best Defensive WAR seasonal marks, last 30 years:
5.1 Andrelton Simmons, 2017
4.6 Kevin Kiermaier, 2015
4.3 Andrelton Simmons, 2013
4.2 Darin Erstad, 2002
4.1 Andrelton Simmons, 2015
(via @baseball_ref)pic.twitter.com/9P3PNh9zrn— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) December 29, 2023
As an offensive player, he never lit up the box score.
His best offensive season came in 2017 with the Los Angeles Angels.
He hit .278 with 14 home runs and 69 RBI.
Also, that season he stole a career-high 19 bases.
Simmons will forever be remembered as one of the top defensive shortstops of the past few decades.
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