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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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.”