Houston Astros Outfielder Shockingly Retires After 15-Year Career

Former Houston Astros World Series champion and five-time All-Star retires at 36.

It's been reported that Michael Brantley, a former Houston Astros outfielder, is planning on retiring according to MLB insider Jon Morosi. He spent the last five years of his career with the Astros and was a huge piece to the teams' success..

"It’s time for me to be home 24/7, watch my kids grow up, and not miss important milestones," Brantley told Morosi.

In two of his five seasons with the Astros, he was named an All-Star, earning the honor in 2019 and 2021.

Brantley first joined Houston ahead of the 2019 season and showed what he could do as an offensive player. He slashed .311/.372/.503 and hit 22 home runs, the most in a season in his career.

During the 2022 World Series, Brantley was out with an injury. However, he still received a ring, the first and only of his career. 

Prior to joining the Astros, Brantley played with Cleveland from 2009-2018. He was a three-time All-Star with the club in 2014, 2017, and 2018. He won a Silver Slugger in 2014. 

The 36-year-old was one of the top hitters in the game for a very long time and became one of the most important pieces in Houston's lineup.

While he's not a Hall of Fame type of talent, he fits in the list of players that are in the tier below. A 15-year big league career is a success in its own right, but what he did as an offensive player during those 15 years was even more impressive.

Brantley finished with 1,656 hits, 129 home runs, and 720 RBIs. His career slash line was .298/.355/.439.

If injuries didn't play a factor in him missing most of the past two seasons and during the middle portion of his career, he might've finished with over 2,000 career hits.