Latest news with #Merrifield
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Whit Merrifield Retires From MLB and Jokes With Phillies Fans, 'Sorry I Stunk For You'
Whit Merrifield Retires From MLB and Jokes With Phillies Fans, 'Sorry I Stunk For You' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On Tuesday, June 24th, a former Philadelphia Phillies player announced their retirement. While they didn't have the greatest career in Philadelphia, they still contributed to the 2024 season. Advertisement In an announcement from Warner Sports Management on Twitter/X, Whit Merrifield officially announced he was retiring from baseball. Merrifield signed for $8 million in 2024 with the Phillies and played just 53 games. In his announcement that he's retiring, Merrifield sent a message to the Phillies and their fans. "Philly," Merrifield wrote, "I liked you way more than you liked me. Sorry I stunk for you." Based on Merrifield's statistics with the Phillies, his claim that he "stunk" with the Phillies isn't wrong. He hit just .199 in 174 at-bats, scored 21 runs in 53 games, while being designated for assignment partway through the year. Advertisement He also had five doubles, two triples, one home run, and four RBIs to go with six stolen bases, 20 walks, and 33 strikeouts in his Phillies career. Across his various stints around the league, his batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS were all the lows of his career when he was in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) looks on from the dugout against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC LeClaire-Imagn Images But, in his nine-year MLB career, Merrifield put together a strong resume despite entering the league at 27 years old. He was an All-Star three times and led the league in hits twice in 2018 and 2019. He also led the league in triples in 2019 and doubles in 2021. Merrifield stole 218 bases in his career, hit .280, and finished with 1,249 hits across 1,147 games. It was an impressive career for Merrifield, one that most MLB players can't match. In his prime, he was one of the league's best hitters. But, after struggling in recent years, he decided to retire. Advertisement His lasting impression on the Phillies wasn't a good one, and he admits it himself. But Merrifield put together a great career and made a positive impact wherever he went, including in Philadelphia, as he finished his tenure with 0.1 WAR. Related: Phillies Trade Idea Lands 0.61 ERA All-Star Closer for Beloved Outfielder Related: Phillies Trade Idea Sends Defensive Wizard to White Sox for $50 Million Slugger This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Former Blue Jays all-star retires after twice leading MLB in hits over his nine seasons
Article content 'At this point in my life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders,' wrote Merrifield, who had 192 hits for the Royals in 2018 and led the majors again a year later with 206. Merrifield played his last game with the Braves on Sept. 30, 2024, when they had to play a Monday doubleheader against the New York Mets to settle the National League wild-card race. Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene had rained out both games in Atlanta a week earlier. The Mets clinched a wild card with a victory in Game 1, which Merrifield played. He sat for the second game, which the Braves won to move on to the postseason as well. Merrifield was a ninth-round pick by Kansas City in the 2010 amateur draft and made his debut with the Royals six years later, the season after the club won its first World Series in 30 years. Merrifield played in every game from 2019-21, which included the 2020 season shortened to 60 games by the pandemic.
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Former Blue Jays all-star retires after twice leading MLB in hits over his nine seasons
Published Jun 25, 2025 • 2 minute read Whit Merrifield of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates an RBI double during a game in 2023. Getty Images Whit Merrifield is retiring after a nine-season career that included twice leading the MLB in hits and three trips to the All-Star Game. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The 36-year-old posted on social media that the birth of his daughter last year played a role in the decision. Merrifield, a utilityman whose career began with Kansas City, was granted free agency after finishing last season with Atlanta. He didn't play in 2025. 'At this point in my life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders,' wrote Merrifield, who had 192 hits for the Royals in 2018 and led the majors again a year later with 206. Merrifield played his last game with the Braves on Sept. 30, 2024, when they had to play a Monday doubleheader against the New York Mets to settle the National League wild-card race. Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene had rained out both games in Atlanta a week earlier. The Mets clinched a wild card with a victory in Game 1, which Merrifield played. He sat for the second game, which the Braves won to move on to the postseason as well. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Merrifield was a ninth-round pick by Kansas City in the 2010 amateur draft and made his debut with the Royals six years later, the season after the club won its first World Series in 30 years. Merrifield played in every game from 2019-21, which included the 2020 season shortened to 60 games by the pandemic. Read More The Royals didn't make the playoffs in any of Merrifield's six full seasons, and he was traded to Toronto in 2022. He went to the postseason twice with the Blue Jays, but wasn't a regular in the lineup. Merrifield led the majors in stolen bases three times, including a career-high 45 in 2018. He hit .280 with 94 homers, 485 RBIs, 29 triples and 218 steals in 1,147 games. The last All-Star trip for Merrifield came in 2023 with Toronto, and he signed as a free agent with Philadelphia that next offseason. The Phillies released Merrifield last July, and the South Carolina native signed with the Braves. Toronto & GTA NHL Toronto Maple Leafs MLB Toronto & GTA
NBC Sports
5 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Whit Merrifield retires after twice leading MLB in hits over his 9 seasons
Vaughn Dalzell analyzes current odds for this year's American League Comeback Player of the Year award, including why he's looking past favorite Jacob deGrom and instead targeting veteran outfielder Byron Buxton. Whit Merrifield is retiring after a nine-season career that included twice leading the MLB in hits and three trips to the All-Star Game. The 36-year-old posted on social media that the birth of his daughter last year played a role in the decision. Merrifield, a utilityman whose career began with Kansas City, was granted free agency after finishing last season with Atlanta. He didn't play in 2025. 'At this point in my life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders,' wrote Merrifield, who had 192 hits for the Royals in 2018 and led the majors again a year later with 206. Merrifield played his last game with the Braves on Sept. 30, 2024, when they had to play a Monday doubleheader against the New York Mets to settle the National League wild-card race. Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene had rained out both games in Atlanta a week earlier. The Mets clinched a wild card with a victory in Game 1, which Merrifield played. He sat for the second game, which the Braves won to move on to the postseason as well. Merrifield was a ninth-round pick by Kansas City in the 2010 amateur draft and made his debut with the Royals six years later, the season after the club won its first World Series in 30 years. Merrifield played in every game from 2019-21, which included the 2020 season shortened to 60 games by the pandemic. The Royals didn't make the playoffs in any of Merrifield's six full seasons, and he was traded to Toronto in 2022. He went to the postseason twice with the Blue Jays, but wasn't a regular in the lineup. Merrifield led the majors in stolen bases three times, including a career-high 45 in 2018. He hit .280 with 94 homers, 485 RBIs, 29 triples and 218 steals in 1,147 games. The last All-Star trip for Merrifield came in 2023 with Toronto, and he signed as a free agent with Philadelphia that next offseason. The Phillies released Merrifield last July, and the South Carolina native signed with the Braves.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Three-time MLB All-Star Whit Merrifield retires — and apologizes to Phillies fans
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. 4 Nine-year MLB veteran Whit Merrifield announced his retirement Tuesday. AP '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. 4 Whit Merrifield primarily played second base. Paul J. Bereswill '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. 4 Whit Merrifield spent more than six seasons with the Royals. Getty Images 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. 4 Whit Merrifield humorously apologized to the Phillies for his poor performance during his brief stint with the team. AP 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.'
