Somewhat surprisingly, slugger Josh Donaldson decided to announce his retirement from MLB on Monday.
He says goodbye after hitting 279 home runs and posting an .847 career OPS.
The Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Guardians, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, and Milwaukee Brewers employed the talented third baseman in his 13-year career in the bigs.
Now, however, it’s time to call it quits and start a new chapter.
What will that new chapter include?
We don’t know yet, but we will eventually find out.
Fans reacted to the news of his retirement on Twitter.
Some say he should have made the decision at least a couple of years ago:
Could’ve retired two years earlier.
— BQ (@BrendanQ_1999) March 4, 2024
About 6 seasons too late but congrats
— N*A*S*H (@btclfgmen) March 4, 2024
While others have focused on congratulating him or recognizing he was a truly good ballplayer during most of his 13-year career:
Now who’s going to bring the rain?
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) March 4, 2024
Best of luck
— NMH Hammad (@HammadNmh78786) March 4, 2024
No matter what happened after the time in Toronto, will forever be one of my favorite players ever. Congrats on a great career and for the countless memories!!!! Thanks for the picture and autograph all those years ago! @BringerOfRain20 pic.twitter.com/XT2lXAPUdL
— Owen Winston (@owen__winston) March 4, 2024
At peak, Donaldson was probably a top-five third baseman in baseball.
That prime started with the A’s and extended up until his time with the Braves, although he had a really good season as recently as 2021 with the Twins.
He was selected to three All-Star Games, won the 2015 AL MVP award with Toronto, and was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2019.
He also won a Hank Aaron Award in 2015 and took home two Silver Sluggers.
He always, in addition, played solid defense at the hot corner.
He couldn’t win a World Series, but played in three American League Championship Series: two with the Blue Jays (2015 and 2016) and one with the Yankees in 2022.
A truly gifted hitter and defender, Donaldson will now get much more time to spend with family and friends.
The post MLB Fans React To Josh Donaldson’s Announcement appeared first on The Cold Wire.