Veteran outfielder Kevin Kiermaier plans to officially retire at the end of the current Major League Baseball season, during which he is playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. The player announced this decision on Tuesday.
“This is it, 2024 is the end for me. Next week will be very interesting [before the trade deadline]. But this will be my last year playing. I’m going to give it my all for the rest of the year, regardless of the situation I find myself in. But my body is telling me now more than ever,” said Kiermaier, who understands that his body is signaling it’s time to hang up the cleats and head home.
Kiermaier, currently in his 12th season, is having a tough year offensively, with an OPS of .552, 36 hits, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, and 18 RBIs in 76 games. It’s worth noting that Kiermaier‘s achievements should not be overlooked; he has won five Gold Glove Awards and played over 1,000 games in center field, with 10 of his 12 seasons spent with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Kiermaier defied the odds to reach the majors as a 31st-round pick by the Rays in 2010 and became arguably the best defensive center fielder of his era. True to form, Kiermaier’s defense remains elite in 2024, with seven defensive runs saved and eight outs above average in center field.
Kiermaier is a career .247/.306/.404 hitter with 94 home runs, 370 RBIs, and 131 stolen bases over parts of 12 MLB seasons. His name is etched in the Rays‘ record books, having helped the franchise secure three playoff appearances, including the 2020 American League pennant.