After a 13-year MLB career, Donaldson, 38, announced his retirement from baseball on the “Mayor’s Office” podcast on Monday with former Reds great Sean Casey.
With the A’s in 2010, Donaldson made his major league debut with 34 plate appearances in 14 games.
After making 75 appearances for Oakland in 2012, he went on to play a major league career for the rest of his playing days.
As a member of the Blue Jays, he had his best season in 2015, leading the American League in runs scored, RBIs received, and total bases (352) while also taking home the MVP title.
In addition to playing for the Guardians, Braves, Twins, Yankees, and Brewers, Donaldson was a three-time All-Star.
His final two seasons were largely spent with the Yankees, and they were terrible.
When he was hitting in August of last season, he was released.142 for the entire year.
Donaldson said on the Casey podcast that he wed Briana this offseason after they had been together for seven years and had two kids.
Golf will be his “next pastime,” he declared.
“Towards the conclusion of the season, I felt pretty comfortable about where I was at and wanted to try to give it one more go,” Donaldson said to Casey, the hitting coach for the Yankees during the second part of the previous campaign.
However, I am delighted and sad today because I am getting married and staying at home with the family. My family and I have devoted our entire lives to [baseball]. Although I will no longer be able to play the game I love, it is also a very joyous time for me as I get to spend time with my family and begin to write a new chapter in my life.
Donaldson had hinted at a possible return this season back in November.
“I believe that ultimately, everything simply relies on the circumstances. At the time, he declared, “I am definitely up for playing one more year if it is a circumstance that I feel (comfortable in).”
However, I believe that, come what may, this next season will be my last. After playing for a year more and ending my career well, that would be my wish.
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He said that he had no idea what life will be like beyond baseball.
“I am not entirely sure. There will be possibilities there if I want them, Donaldson said, specifically for the folks who have contacted me about remaining in baseball and wanting to be in baseball or wanting me to continue in baseball.
“I am not sure if I want to pursue that as my first goal. I believe I would benefit from taking a few years off.
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