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News and Rumors
·2 min read

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira announces retirement

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Friday morning, the New York Yankees announced an impromptu press conference for this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. with first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Buster Olney reported this morning expecting Teixeira to announce his retirement at the age of 36 following the 2016 season.

That was exactly the case as during the press conference Teixeira officially announced his retirement from MLB following this season.

“Every kid playing whiffle ball in the backyard or playing Little League, you dream of being a Major League baseball player,” he said.  “And after 14 years it’s time for me to do something else and after this season I’m going to retire and do something else.”

The 36-year-old is set to be a free agent at season’s end, and at that age, “retirement is always in the back of your mind,” he said.  He indicated the decision was made over the All-Star break following discussions with his family.

In March, Teixeira said he wanted to play five more seasons and he was asked about it.  He stated it being the mindset he has to be in for baseball, for longevity, but he came to the realization that was not going to be the case.

“This year my neck started bothering me, I hurt my knee and I just kind of realized my body can’t do it anymore.  If I have to grind through season not being healthy, I’d rather be somewhere else.”

 

Drafted fifth overall to the Texas Rangers organization in 2001, Teixeira made his debut on opening day 2003 and has made his presence felt ever since.  In his rookie season, he hit .259 with 26 home-runs and 84 RBI.  He hit a career-high in 43 home-runs and 144 RBI in his third season, earning All-Star honors for the first time in his career.

In January 2009, Teixeira signed an eight-year, $180 million contract with the Yankees.

That season, the then 29-year-old found himself second among MVP votes and earned an All-Star bid as he led the league in home-runs with 39, and RBI with 122.  He played a crucial role in ushering in the new Yankee Stadium and winning the Yankees‘ 27th World Series championship.

This year, in the final year of his contract, Teixeira has once again been troubled with injury; this time to his right knee.  He is batting .198 with 10 home-runs and 27 RBI in just 77 games.

Despite what is likely to be the subpar, injury-riddled conclusion to a career, he has been an elite competitor for over a decade.  At this point in time, he stands with 404 career home-runs, 1,281 career RBI, and a career slashline of .269/.361/.511.