20-05-2025
Kolten Wong officially retires in Hawaii as he enters UH Circle of Honor
The University of Hawai'i celebrated its 2025 Circle of Honor class on Sunday during the annual Green and White Celebration, officially inducting five new members, including one of the most iconic names in Rainbow Warrior baseball history.
Former UH All-American and 11-year MLB veteran Kolten Wong was among the honorees, using the occasion to officially announce his retirement from professional baseball, capping a career that saw him become a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and one of the most respected athletes to come out of the islands.
'There's no other place to do this,' Wong said at Sunday's UH Sports Circle of Honor ceremony. 'Being here, being back where it all started—where the dream was created, couldn't be a better place. I played the game for these people, lived the game for these people. It's far more than baseball. It's about playing for your family, giving everything you have to get to this point.'
Wong, 34, finishes his MLB career with a .256 batting average, 86 home runs, 511 runs scored, 120 stolen bases, and 973 hits, just 27 shy of 1,000. He last played in 2023 with the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting four home runs over 87 games.
Drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011, Wong spent eight seasons in St. Louis (2013–2020), followed by stints with the Milwaukee Brewers (2021–22), Mariners, and Dodgers. He earned Gold Glove honors in back-to-back seasons in 2019 and 2020.
During his remarks, Wong emphasized the importance of representing Hawai'i and inspiring the next generation.
'Being able to stay at home and put that 'Hawai'i' on your chest means you're playing not just for yourself, but for your family and the entire state,' he said. 'It doesn't matter where you go—what matters is how hard you work.'
Wong and his family are in the process of relocating to O'ahu, where he plans to remain involved in the game through coaching and training the next wave of local talent.
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