Outfielder Alfonso Soriano announced yesterday that he has decided to retire from major league baseball after 16 seasons.
Soriano stated yesterday that “he has lost the love and passion to play the same. Soriano also said right now his family is the most important aspect to him right now. Soriano did mention he is still in great shape, but his mind is not focused on baseball.” Soriano is 38-years old.
Last year completed the final year of an 8-year/136 million contract he signed with the Chicago Cubs before the 2007 season. But Soriano did not end his career with the Cubs.
On July 26th 2013, Soriano was traded to the Yankees in exchange for minor league pitcher Corey Black. Soriano finished off 2013 with the Yankees very strong. However, in 2014 with the Yankees, Soriano was struggling in a part-time role. Later that season, Soriano was designated for assignment and released on July 14th.
Soriano started his career in 1997 for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan. He played one season for them. After the Japan stint, Soriano signed with the Yankees in 1998 as a free agent and played with them until 2003. In 2004, Soriano was traded to the Texas Rangers, along with Joaquin Arias for Alex Rodriguez. Soriano played with the Rangers until 2006, when he was traded to the Washington Nationals. Soriano played one season with the Nationals (2006) until he was signed as a free agent by the Cubs in 2007. Then he played with the Cubs until 2013, and last played with the Yankees to finish out his career.
In Soriano’s 16-year career, he was a 7 time all-star (2002-2008), was a 4 time silver slugger (2002, 2004-2006), MLB all-star MVP (2004), AL stolen base leader (2002), joined the 40-40 club (2006) and a 2 times world series champion (1999, 2000).
Soriano ended his career with a batting average of .270, 2.095 hits, 412 home runs, 1,159 runs batted in, 289 stolen bases and 1152 runs scored. The 412 home runs by Soriano is good enough for 50th all-time.
Congratulations to Alfonso Soriano on a great career! It was a pleasure watching you in person and on television and wearing a Cubs jersey!
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