Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira to retire at end of season
New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira announced that he plans to retire at the end of the season during a press conference on Friday.
“As the season went on, I just realized that my body couldn't do it anymore,” Teixeira said. “If I'm going to grind through seasons not being healthy, I'd rather be home with my family. I'd rather do something else. I miss my kids way too much to be in a training room in Detroit rather than being at their dance recital or their school play.”
The 36-year-old is hitting .198/.287/.340 in 303 plate appearances for New York with 10 home runs this season. He missed time earlier this season with a knee injury.
• How valuable was retiring Mark Teixeira during his Yankees career?
“I gave you everything I had," Teixeira said at his press conference. “It wasn't always enough, but I tried my best, and I'm proud to have a World Series ring with the Yankees. It's something I'll never forget.”
Teixeira is in the last season of his eight-year, $180 million contract with the Yankees. Over the course of his career, the first baseman also played for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels.
A three-time All-Star and a five-time Gold Glove Award winner, Teixeira won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009. He has 404 career home runs.
