Former Minnesota Twin Retiring After 12 MLB Seasons
There comes a time when you must hang up your cleats. That hits differently for every player. The Minnesota Twins have seen a few good ones call it quits in recent seasons. While not all of them have the same career accomplishments, looking back is always a worthy exercise.
A four-year Minnesota Twins run may have been his best
At 35 years old, Venezuelan utility man Ehire Adrianza is calling it a career. He spent 12 seasons in the major leagues, and played one-third of those years with the Minnesota Twins. His retirement announcement was posted on Instagram Tuesday evening.
Ehire Adrianza has announced his retirement from baseball #BombaSquadForever #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/xpbSTiiqB5
— Rocco Hairdelli (lost without ⚾️ ) (@beastModeRocco) December 24, 2024
“This journey has been incredibly challenging, filled with ups and downs, but every step along the way has been a blessing that I cherish immensely. Since my childhood, I dreamed of the possibility of winning a World Series, a goal that once seemed so distant and almost unattainable. However, thanks to my effort, dedication, and the unwavering support of each one of you, that dream has become a reality. I still find it hard to believe that I have had the honor of playing more than a decade in the Major Leagues. I never imagined I would achieve so much, and it’s astonishing to reflect on this experience.”
Ehire Adrianza reflects on his career (Instagram)
In total, Adrianza played in 624 major league games. He put up a .237/.307/.352 slash line while playing every position on the diamond except for catcher. With Minnesota from 2017 through 2020, Adrianza experienced some very successful teams.
⚾ Catch with @Audra_Martin ⚾
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) August 21, 2019
What’s it like having Ozzie Guillen as your godfather? And what does it take to win a World Series ring? Get to know @Twins infielder Ehire Adrianza: pic.twitter.com/CGU8TMEkLX
His six home runs in 2018 went down as a career-high, and his 103 OPS+ across 83 games in 2019 was the best production he ever saw. Adrianza leaves the game with just shy of $10 million in career earnings, and he won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.
Related: Minnesota Twins Trade Lefty Reliever to Boston for Utility Help
Adrianza played the utility man role that currently is occupied by Willi Castro. His versatility is something that both Paul Molitor and Rocco Baldelli leaned heavily on. With just 50 games since the 2021 season, it appears to be a good time for him to move on with life.
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