Josh Donaldson, the 2015 American League Most Valuable Player, announced he will retire from MLB on Monday.
Donaldson, 38, explained why he is hanging up his cleats after 13 years in the league.
“There was a point at the end of the season where I felt really good about where I was and I was going to try to give it one more try,” he said on The Mayor's Office with former MLB first baseman Sean Casey. “But being at home with the family, getting married, today is a sad but also happy day for me. I am going to announce my retirement from the game to which I have dedicated my entire life and my family.
“It's sad because I won't be able to go out and play the game I love anymore, but it's also a very happy time because I can be with the family and take on the next chapter of life.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Josh Donaldson #24 of the Minnesota Twins looks on and smiles during a spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins on March 11, 2020 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
Donaldson's decline over the past two seasons was evident, hitting .222/.308/.374 with the New York Yankees in 2022, his first season with the team after being traded from the Minnesota Twins. Then, he hit .152/.249/.418 in 50 games between the Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers.
But Donaldson's impact on the game first came with the Oakland Athletics in 2013 when he hit .301/.384/.499 with 24 home runs, 37 doubles and 93 RBI in a spectacular season that showcased the 27-year-old as one of the best third basemen in the MLB.
YANKEES' JOSH DONALDSON SUSPENDED GAME WITH FINE FOR 'JACKIE ROBINSON' COMMENT
Josh Donaldson #28 of the New York Yankees singles during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on July 5, 2023, in New York, New York. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
He would earn his first American League All-Star Game appearance in 2014, but his best season was easily his first with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015, winning the American League Most Valuable Player after driving in 123 runs batting .297/ .371/. 568, 41 home runs and 122 runs.
Donaldson finished in the top 10 in MVP voting four times in his career, which also included time with the Cleveland Guardians and Atlanta Braves.
While the “Bringer of Rain” was primarily known for his big kick that generated 279 home runs and 816 RBIs during his 13-year career, he was one of the softest third basemen in the league throughout his career.
Josh Donaldson (20) of the Toronto Blue Jays looks skyward as he comes to the plate after hitting a home run in the first inning during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Center on May 8, 2015 . (David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In addition to his MVP, Donaldson won two Silver Sluggers.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
