Reaching Major League Baseball is difficult, but staying in the big leagues is the real challenge, but Kurt Suzuki carved out his own spot in the majors for 16 seasons, and this one plans to be his last.
Suzuki announced that following the season he plans to retire from MLB. The 38-year-old backstop spent his final two years with the Angels after a terrific career.
The former second-round pick in the 2004 MLB Draft spent time with the Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals, and the Angels. Suzuki explained that this season made it clear he was making the right move, via Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:
“I feel like it’s time,” Suzuki said. “I’ve had a great run, won a World Series, All-Star Game. Played 16 seasons. I’ve accomplished a lot of things I never would have dreamed of. I felt like it’s time for the next chapter. My three kids, all they’ve known is baseball.”
“They used to be excited to watch me on TV,” the Angels catcher said on Tuesday. “Now they want me at home. That’s kind of when you know. I’ve said from the beginning, family is always first. That comes first no matter what. The game will tell you, but also your family will tell you.”
Suzuki was a member of the 2019 Nationals club that made an improbable run to the World Series and captured a title. In his 16-year career, he made one All-Star team, but he was never known for incredible production, just a steady guide for a pitching staff and a consistent bat at the plate.
Angels catcher Max Stassi grounds into triple play, still pull off win
Angels catcher Max Stassi came into Tuesday’s game against the Texas Rangers in a 4-for-72 slump. He had also recently described his season as “horrible.” So he was particularly frustrated when he ended an excellent Angels rally by grounding into a triple play.
The Angels and Rangers were tied at two entering the sixth inning, with reliever Dennis Santana on the mound. Shohei Ohtani took to the plate and quickly hit an 0-1 single. Taylor Ward followed that up with an RBI double, making it 3-2 Angels.
Matt Duffy then singled, pushing Ward to third base and chasing Santana from the game. Mike Ford then made it four consecutive hits for the Angels, hitting a single that scored Ward and put Duffy at third. Jo Adell kept the rally going with another single to make it 5-2 and put runners at first and second base.
There, Stassi took a 2-1 sinker and grounded out directly to the third baseman Josh Jung, who initiated a triple play, the first against L.A. since Aug. 16, 2018.