Mitch Moreland Retires after 12 Seasons
Mitch Moreland announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Tuesday. Moreland competed for 4 teams across 12 Major League seasons spanning from 2010 to 2021. This came on the same day Royals legend Lorenzo Cain announced his retirement from baseball.
Moreland said to WEEI’s Rob Bradford “There you go. I’m done. I’m done playing. I’ve enjoyed the family life too much in the last year and a half. Being there for my kids. It got to the point where they were away from me during the season and in school. I wanted to be there for them, and be around the family more.” Being nearly two years out of the game, Moreland has not officially hung his cleats up however he knew it was time. “When I really didn’t get anybody knocking on the door last year, I said, ‘That’s probably it.’ I didn’t really see a need in telling anybody else,”.
MLB Career
Moreland was taken in the 17th round back in 2007 by The Texas Rangers. Spending his first seven seasons in Texas, playing in two World Series, and earning his first and only Gold Glove for first base in 2016. Afterwards signing with the Red Sox becoming a fan favorite in Boston, earning the name “Mitchy 2 Bags” also making the All-Star team in 2018. Ultimately finishing his 2018 season with a World Series championship, with his pinch hit three – run homerun undoubtedly being the stuff of legend in Boston, making me realize that was a half-decade ago… The Red Sox would trade Moreland to the Padres in 2020 and eventually sign with the Athletics before the 2021 campaign. Moreland finished his career with a .251 AVG.,186 Home Runs, 618 RBIs, and a .764 OPS.
Post Playing Days
Since 2021 Moreland has shifted focus to being a full-time dad and has spent some time in Fort Myers to reconnect with his old Red Sox teammates during spring training. “I’m here strictly to hang out with the guys, and if I can help someone along the way, and if anybody has any questions for me, I’d obviously be an open book for them,” Moreland said. “Just catch up with old teammates and staff, and help any way I can.” Overall, Mitch Moreland had a career to be proud of, a very solid player and an even better teammate. Altogether being the type of player who can fit on any team as a leader with consistent play.
Those are the kinds of players that have long careers in the Majors and who are on World Series rosters. Mitch Moreland is the kind of player kids should certainly strive to be no matter their talent level.
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