Veteran outfielder Michael Brantley announced his retirement from professional baseball. Brantley walks away from the game after 15 years in the majors.
Brantley explained the reasons for his decision in a chat with MLB Network and said he wants to spend more time with his family.
“I have young kids, and now it’s time to be a dad, first and foremost,” said Brantley. “It’s time for me to be home 24/7, watch my kids grow up, and not miss important milestones.”
However, Brantley found a way to still remain in baseball without sacrificing family time. He will be a coach in for the Little League, where his sons are playing.
Michael Brantley made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians and spent a decade playing with the franchise. During that time, Brantley received three All-Star nods and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2014.
Ahead of the 2019 MLB season, Brantley signed with the Houston Astros. He spent the past five seasons in Houston, receiving two more All-Star selections.
The 36-year-old player had a challenging 2023 campaign that saw him undergo shoulder surgery and experience a number of setbacks. He was limited to 15 games and finished the regular season with a .278 batting average, two home runs, and seven RBIs.
