A longtime Seattle Mariners member calls it a career. Kyle Seager announced his retirement from the MLB on Wednesday after playing 11 seasons. He has spent his entire career with the Mariners and made the All-Star in 2014 as a third baseman. Seager made the announcement through his wife, Julie, who shared the news on her Twitter account.
“Today, I am announcing my retirement from Major League Baseball,” the Seager statement said. “Thank you to all my family, friends and fans for following me throughout my career. It was a wonderful race but I am incredibly excited for the next chapter of my life. Once Seager made the announcement, the Mariners responded with an emotional message.
It hits even harder now.
Happy retirement, Kyle Seager
pic.twitter.com/FYQobsHNzx
– Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) December 29, 2021
“Thank you for all you’ve done for our team, our fans and our city,” the Mariners wrote. “As one of the best to ever don a Mariners uniform, your passion and example of what it means to be a professional will resonate throughout the organization for years to come. Your impact went beyond diamonds as you were a leader in the clubhouse and a pillar of our community. “
The announcement was surprising considering Seager was playing at a high level at 34. Last season, the third baseman hit 35 home runs with 101 RBIs, career highs. In his All-Star season in 2014, Seager hit 25 home runs while driving 96 points. In 2016, Seager received MVP votes after hitting 30 home runs with 99 RBIs. Seager became a free agent after the 2021 season when the Mariners declined his $ 20 million club option for 2022. He has played a total of 1,480 games for his career, which ranks third in baseball since his debut on July 7, 2011.
“Kyle has come forward to play and win every day of his career,” Mariners president and managing partner John Stanton said in a statement. “While the rest of the roster could fluctuate, his teammates and manager knew he would go out on the pitch every night and give all his body had to give. His example and his passion influenced a generation of Mariners players.
“And off the pitch, he’s consistently (usually behind the scenes and out of the spotlight) has been instrumental in making a positive impact on the lives of young people and families in our communities. He raised awareness of domestic violence issues, serving as a seven-year spokesperson for the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) Refuse to Abuse campaign. pediatric cancer research and family support programs.
