By Jordan Long
Major League Baseball still hasn’t announced when MLB owners and the players union will meet again to end the lockout. With the uncertainty of when MLB will be back to normal, Seattle Mariners’ third baseman Kyle Seager announced his retirement from the game after 11 seasons. He is the brother of All-Star shortstop and World Series champion, Corey Seager
Seager started his MLB career with the Seattle Mariners during the 2011 season, appearing in 53 games hitting .258 with 13 RBI’s. In 2012, Seager became the Mariners’ full time 3rd baseman. He played at the position for 138 games. Seager’s problem though was errors. He was rushing his throws or couldn’t pick up the baseball to throw to a base to have the runner out, committing 13. At the plate, he hit .259 with 20 home runs and 86 RBI’s, just a taste for him at the MLB level
Seager’s top year as shortstop came when he won his only Gold Glove in 2014. During that season, Seager made 8 errors but was involved in 36 double plays. His fielding percentage was the highest in his career at .981. When it came to his offense in 2014 his batting average was .268. Seager totaled 25 home runs and 96 RBI’s.
This past season, Seager had his best year at the plate with a career high 35 home runs and 101 RBI’s. His other offensive stats weren’t great. He hit .212, the worst in his career. Seager added 161 strike outs, the highest amount in his career. Once the year was over, Seattle didn’t offer him a new contract.
Seager took his time to figure out his future. He was a free agent. Teams didn’t contact him when they could have before the lockout. With the uncertainty of when the lockout will end, Seager decided it was better to retire.
According to ESPN.com, Seager said in a statement, “Thank you to all of my family, friends, and fans for following me throughout my career. It’s been a wonderful ride but I am unbelievably excited for the next chapter of my life.”
Seager leaves the MLB game with a career batting average of .251 with 807 RBI’s and 242 home runs. He was voted into one All-Star game in 2014, the same year he won his only Gold Glove. Seager never played in the postseason to experience October baseball. Seattle hasn’t made the MLB playoffs since 2001.
Seager leaves the game on his own terms. He could have played a few more seasons. Seager will be remembered as one of the better players to ever play for the Mariners. He played the game the right way. A player wants to be known for that.
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