Latest news with #WhitMerrifield
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Royals' Legend Makes Major Personal Announcement on Tuesday
Royals' Legend Makes Major Personal Announcement on Tuesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the Kansas City Royals look to continue their success into the 2025 season after losing in the ALDS to the New York Yankees last season, news has surfaced on one of their former legends on Tuesday. Advertisement Whit Merrifield hasn't seen the field since last September after playing in 95 games for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves in 2024. After not finding a team to sign with in 2025, Merrifield announced his retirement from the game on Tuesday. In a statement following his decision to retire, Merrifield said, "I was so privileged and blessed to have played in the cities I played in... My only baseball regret was never being able to help bring a world championship to any one of the cities I played for." "I loved all the moments. All the highs and even all the lows. I'm grateful for the way this game molded me... What a ride. Thanks for everything." Atlanta Braves left fielder Whit MerrifieldDale Zanine-Imagn Images Merrifield played for four different teams in his nine-year career, but he was his best for the Kansas City Royals, getting drafted in the 9th round of the 2010 MLB Draft and playing as multi-tool threat for them from 2016 to 2022. Advertisement Throughout his career, Merrifield was elected to three All-Star games in 2019, 2021, and 2023, won three AL stolen base titles in 2017, 2018, and 2021, and led the major leagues in hits in 2018 and 2019. The 36-year-old veteran played in many different positions throughout his career, including at second base as well as all throughout the outfield. Although he wasn't able to win a World Series in the MLB, Merrifield was able to win a College World Series title with South Carolina in 2010. In 1,147 games played in the major leagues, Merrifield's career statistics include a .280 BA, .328 OBP, .413 SLG, and a .741 OPS while hitting 94 home runs, 256 doubles, and 485 RBI. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
9 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Three-time MLB All-Star Whit Merrifield retires — and apologizes to Phillies fans
After nine MLB seasons and three All-Star appearances, 36-year-old Whit Merrifield is calling it a career. Merrifield's agency, Warner Sports Management, announced the news Tuesday after he had not signed with a team for 2025. 'You all should know that I decided a while back to retire. When it came down to it, it was an easy decision,' Merrifield's said in a statement. 'Many factors played a role in my decision, but the main one was a 6 pound 6 ounce gift from God my wife and I were blessed with in March of 2024. 4 Nine-year MLB veteran Whit Merrifield announced his retirement Tuesday. AP 'I was never talented enough to just show up and play. Baseball required my full focus and energy for me to compete at the level I wanted to, and I realize I can no longer give that effort. At this point in life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders.' Merrifield primarily made a name for himself during his six and a half seasons with the Royals, as he tallied two of his three All-Star nods in Kansas City. 4 Whit Merrifield primarily played second base. Paul J. Bereswill 'KC, you became a second home to my family and I,' he wrote. 'Nothing compares to a first love.' He was an iron man for the Royals, as he appeared in all 162 games in two separate seasons and at least 145 games in two other years. He also appeared in all 60 games in 2020's COVID-shortened season. The former second baseman and outfielder led MLB in games played, hits and stolen bases on multiple occasions throughout his Royals career. 4 Whit Merrifield spent more than six seasons with the Royals. Getty Images He was then traded to the Blue Jays midway through the 2022 season. 'Toronto, playing for an entire country was an honor I'll never forget,' Merrifield said. In Toronto, Merrifield landed in the All-Star game one last time in 2023. 4 Whit Merrifield humorously apologized to the Phillies for his poor performance during his brief stint with the team. AP He then spent his final season last year with both the Phillies and the Braves, batting .199 and .248, respectively, for the two teams. 'Philly, I liked you way more than you liked me. Sorry I stunk for you,' he wrote. 'Atlanta, it was the joy of a lifetime to play and end my career for my childhood team.' Merrifield said he is 'proud' of what he was able to accomplish in his career, one where he hit .280 and stole 218 bases. 'I'm proud of myself. The toughness I developed and the things I was able to accomplish, nobody outside of my camp thought possible,' he said. 'I spent a lot of energy proving people wrong but my real joy came from proving my small circle of believers right.'
San Francisco Chronicle
10 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Whit Merrifield retires after twice leading MLB in hits over his 9 seasons
Whit Merrifield is retiring after a nine-season career that included twice leading the MLB in hits and three trips to the All-Star Game. The 36-year-old posted on social media that the birth of his daughter last year played a role in the decision. Merrifield, a utilityman whose career began with Kansas City, was granted free agency after finishing last season with Atlanta. He didn't play in 2025. 'At this point in my life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders,' wrote Merrifield, who had 192 hits for the Royals in 2018 and led the majors again a year later with 206. Merrifield played his last game with the Braves on Sept. 30, 2024, when they had to play a Monday doubleheader against the New York Mets to settle the National League wild-card race. Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene had rained out both games in Atlanta a week earlier. The Mets clinched a wild card with a victory in Game 1, which Merrifield played. He sat for the second game, which the Braves won to move on to the postseason as well. Merrifield was a ninth-round pick by Kansas City in the 2010 amateur draft and made his debut with the Royals six years later, the season after the club won its first World Series in 30 years. Merrifield played in every game from 2019-21, which included the 2020 season shortened to 60 games by the pandemic. The Royals didn't make the playoffs in any of Merrifield's six full seasons, and he was traded to Toronto in 2022. He went to the postseason twice with the Blue Jays, but wasn't a regular in the lineup. Merrifield led the majors in stolen bases three times, including a career-high 45 in 2018. He hit .280 with 94 homers, 485 RBIs, 29 triples and 218 steals in 1,147 games. The last All-Star trip for Merrifield came in 2023 with Toronto, and he signed as a free agent with Philadelphia that next offseason. The Phillies released Merrifield last July, and the South Carolina native signed with the Braves. ___
Reuters
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Three-time All-Star Whit Merrifield retires after 9 seasons
June 24 - Whit Merrifield, a three-time MLB All-Star who last played for the Atlanta Braves in 2024, announced his retirement Tuesday after nine years in the big leagues. In a statement released through his agency, Warner Sports Management, Merrifield cited his family -- namely a daughter born in March 2024 -- as a reason to step away. "I was never talented enough to just show up and play," Merrifield said. "Baseball required my full focus and energy for me to compete at the level I wanted to, and I realize I can no longer give that effort. "At this point in life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders." The 36-year-old infielder, a ninth-round selection of the Kansas City Royals in 2010, spent more than six seasons in the minor leagues before making his major league debut at age 27 in 2016. Merrifield ends his career with 1,249 hits -- including 94 home runs and 256 doubles -- and a .280 batting average in 1,147 games. He led the American League in stolen bases three times, finishing his career with 218 swipes. "Since I've now had some time away from the game, I've had a chance to reflect on my individual career for the first time in my life," Merrifield said. "I'm proud of myself. The toughness I developed and the things I was able to accomplish, nobody outside of my camp thought possible." Merrifield quickly established himself as a premier player for Kansas City after his call-up, earning MVP votes in 2018 after batting a career-best .304. He followed that up in 2019 with a .302 season that was highlighted by his first All-Star nod. He added another All-Star selection in 2021 and a third in 2023 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Merrifield signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024 but was released after batting .199 in 53 games. He finished the year with the Braves, with whom he hit .248. "I loved all the moments," Merrifield said. "All the highs and even all the lows. I'm grateful for the way this game molded me. I can't wait to tell my story to my daughter one day." --Field Level Media
Hamilton Spectator
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Whit Merrifield retires after twice leading MLB in hits over his 9 seasons
Whit Merrifield is retiring after a nine-season career that included twice leading the MLB in hits and three trips to the All-Star Game. The 36-year-old posted on social media that the birth of his daughter last year played a role in the decision. Merrifield, a utilityman whose career began with Kansas City, was granted free agency after finishing last season with Atlanta. He didn't play in 2025. 'At this point in my life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders,' wrote Merrifield, who had 192 hits for the Royals in 2018 and led the majors again a year later with 206. Merrifield played his last game with the Braves on Sept. 30, 2024, when they had to play a Monday doubleheader against the New York Mets to settle the National League wild-card race. Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene had rained out both games in Atlanta a week earlier. The Mets clinched a wild card with a victory in Game 1, which Merrifield played. He sat for the second game, which the Braves won to move on to the postseason as well. Merrifield was a ninth-round pick by Kansas City in the 2010 amateur draft and made his debut with the Royals six years later, the season after the club won its first World Series in 30 years. Merrifield played in every game from 2019-21, which included the 2020 season shortened to 60 games by the pandemic. The Royals didn't make the playoffs in any of Merrifield's six full seasons, and he was traded to Toronto in 2022. He went to the postseason twice with the Blue Jays, but wasn't a regular in the lineup. Merrifield led the majors in stolen bases three times, including a career-high 45 in 2018. He hit .280 with 94 homers, 485 RBIs, 29 triples and 218 steals in 1,147 games. The last All-Star trip for Merrifield came in 2023 with Toronto, and he signed as a free agent with Philadelphia that next offseason. The Phillies released Merrifield last July, and the South Carolina native signed with the Braves. ___ AP MLB:
