After a 13-season career crowned with the American MVP award in 2015 and three appearances in the All-Star game, Josh Donaldson decided he would no longer play baseball.
The 38-year-old revealed his plans Monday during a podcast hosted by former major league player Sean Casey. Donaldson was a free agent after a season with the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers.
“It’s sad since I won’t be able to practice this spell that I love anymore,” said Donaldson, who added that he was getting married this winter. However, this is a happy time in my life because I will be able to spend more time with my family and begin this next chapter of my life. »
Donaldson was an elite third baseman from 2013 to 2017, while playing with the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays.
After finishing fourth in MVP voting with the A’s in 2013, he captured the title two years later with the Jays. During this 2015 season, Donaldson maintained averages of .297/.371/.568 with 41 home runs and 123 RBIs, a record in the American. He also led the league in goals scored (352) and led the Majors with 122 points scored. The Jays reached the American Championship Series that season, losing to the Kansas City Royals.
PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Josh Donaldson (20) in a Blue Jays uniform, 2017
From 2014 to 2016, he made three straight All-Star appearances, in addition to finishing fourth again in MVP voting in 2016. After injuries limited him to 113 games in 2017 and 52 the The following season, Donaldson signed a one-year, $23 million contract with the Atlanta Braves.
With averages of .259/.379/.521, 37 home runs and 94 RBIs, he finished 11e in the National MVP voting.
Then aged 34, he signed a 92 million pact for four seasons with the Minnesota Twins, but his game was no longer up to par. He maintained only a .222 batting average and hit only 60 home runs and drove in 171 runs during that span.
Traded to the Yankees before the 2022 season, he hit just .142 with 10 homers and 15 RBIs in 33 games before being released on August 29. Hired by the Brewers two days later, he was recalled in September, but could do no better than a .169 batting average, three home runs and 11 RBIs in 17 games.
“I felt like it would have been a perfect situation for me to play again in 2024,” he said. I had a few offers, but in the end, I didn’t feel mentally and physically ready to play. »
He ended his career after 1,383 matches spread over 13 seasons. He averaged .261/.358/.489 with 279 home runs and 816 RBIs.