World Series champion and former LA Dodgers pitcher Andrew Heaney has announced his retirement from baseball at the age of 34.
Heaney, who played for six different Major League Baseball teams in a 13-year career, revealed the decision on his social media account on Sunday evening.
In a statement, the Oklahoma-born pitcher announced his decision to hang up his glove – just two years on from winning the World Series with the Texas Rangers.
He last played for the Dodgers in September – his second stint with the team – and said in his retirement statement that he is ‘humbled’ to have shared the field with ‘some of the best players to ever wear a uniform’.
He wrote: ‘Many people don’t get the opportunity to leave home and travel to beautiful places, meet amazing people from so many different backgrounds, all while doing something that they love. I have.
‘I’m extremely proud of what I achieved with that opportunity. Over 10 years of major league service time, 3 Roberto Clemente Award nominations, winning Game 4 of the World Series, and becoming a World Series Champion in 2023, playing Major League Baseball has been a unique honor and privilege.
Baseball star Andrew Heaney has announced he is retiring after 13 seasons in the majors
Heaney last played for the Dodgers in September and won the World Series just two years ago
‘I played with many of the greatest players of this generation and potentially some of the best players to ever wear a uniform. I’m humbled that I was even able to share the field with them. I was never an All-Star and definitely not a Hall of Famer, so I can only hope that I was great to each fan, player, coach, and staff member I go to be around.
‘I’m so thankful for all of the people involved in making my career more successful than I ever dreamed. I will miss the game greatly, but all of my experiences and the lasting relationships have made me a better person.’
Revealing his next move, he then added: ‘I am now ready to return my focus and energy to being a husband, father, family man, and active member of my community.
‘I’m retiring from baseball, but I hope to give back more than I received. Thank you to all of you for the love and support you have given me. Y’all know who you are.’
Heaney also played for the Pirates (pictured), Angels, Yankees and Marlins in MLB
The pitcher celebrates in the locker room at Chase Field after winning the 2023 World Series
Heaney began his career with the Marlins after being selected in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft, earning himself a $2.6m signing bonus.
He made his debut in 2014, before being traded to the Angels in December of the same year, where he then stayed until 2021.
From there, he went on to play for the Yankees and the Dodgers, before landing in Texas where he won the World Series with the Rangers.
He started and earned the win in Game 4, the highlight of his career at the end of a season that saw him make 32 appearances – 31 of them starts.
