Fan Favorite Stephen Vogt announces he will retire after the 2022 season
I believe! One of the most beloved backstops in MLB will hang up the cleats. Stephen Vogt, currently on the Oakland A’s, has announced he will retire after the 2022 season.
The A’s social media was the first to announce the news, showcasing all of Vogt’s accolades and how he will be dearly missed.
Vogt, 37, has been in MLB for 10 seasons. He’s most known for his time with the A’s, spending two stints and a total of six seasons with the team.
Vogt began his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, the team who drafted him in 2007. He made his debut in 2010 and spent the next few seasons bouncing between the minors and majors. On March 31, 2013, Vogt was designated for assignment.
A few days later, he was traded to the A’s. This is where his career was re-born, and the name Stephen Vogt fell into the hearts of thousands, including my own.
Vogt hit for a .252 average in 47 games for the A’s in 2013. Heading into the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, Vogt started in all five games of that series. Despite losing the series to the Tigers for the second year in a row, Vogt was heroic when delivering a walk-off base hit in Game 2.
I believe in Stephen Vogt!
Vogt played with the A’s from 2013-2017, and then again this year in 2022. Between that, Vogt was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Atlanta Braves. Vogt won his first World Series last year as a member of the Braves.
A two-time All-Star with the A’s, Vogt is also well known for his rally cry that was given to him by A’s fans. “I Believe in Stephen Vogt!” This would roar every time he came up to bat and followed the backstop to every team he played for.
In what is now his final season, Vogt hit just .164, but his clubhouse presence has been well loved by a rebuilding team.
However, Vogt has been the product of some clutch hits this season for the A’s. On August 27, Vogt hit a pinch-hit, 2-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game against the New York Yankees. The A’s went on to walk off in 11 innings, 3-2.
Following the game, Vogt was emotional after revealing his family was in attendance.
I don’t know, they’ve got to leave for school next week so this was their last game at the Coliseum this year. It’s just so special to have them down here,”
Vogt said before choking up during postgame
What’s next for the veteran? Staying in the game, of course. The end goal for Vogt, however, is to manage a big league ball club one day.
As I write this, Vogt also hit a base clearing triple against the Mariners to tie the game, poetic. I believe.
Even though Vogt’s career will come to a close, fans will enjoy his final days as a player. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that he’ll be back in the game, and he has the potential to be a major league manager.
