Former AL MVP Josh Donaldson Announces Retirement

The veteran third baseman was named to three American League All-Star teams.

After 13 MLB seasons, veteran third baseman Josh Donaldson announced his retirement Monday during a podcast appearance on The Mayor’s Office with Sean Casey. 

The 2015 American League MVP said he realized it was time to retire after he spent a lot of time with his wife and kids in the offseason. Now, he’s says he’s ready for his “next chapter.”

“Today’s a sad, but also happy day for me. I am going to announce my retirement from the game that I’ve dedicated my entire life around,” Donaldson said. “It’s sad because I’ll be not able to play the game that I love anymore. But, it’s a very happy time that I get to be around the family and take that next chapter in life.”

Josh Donaldson has announced his retirement after 13 seasons, three All-Star selections, two Silver Slugger Awards, and 2015 AL MVP honors. pic.twitter.com/7XUZDZ4PxS

— MLB (@MLB) March 4, 2024

Josh Donaldson, who announced his retirement Monday, earned two of his three All-Star selections with the Toronto Blue Jays :: Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports

Donaldson, 38, is a three-time All-Star and won two Silver Slugger awards during his MLB career. He played for Oakland in 2010 and from 2012-14, Toronto from 2015-18, Cleveland in ’18, Atlanta in ’19, Minnesota in ’20 and ’21, the Yankees in ’22 and ’23 and Milwaukee in ’23.

Donaldson earned the National League Comeback Player of the Year award in 2019 while he played for the Braves.

Donaldson finishes his career with a slash line of .261/.358/.489. He totaled 279 home runs and 816 RBIs, including an AL-best 123 RBIs during his MVP season in ’15.