Michael Brantley Announces Retirement

By Nate Miller

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

January 5, 2024

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley is calling it a career, he tells Jon Morosi of MLB.com. The 36-year-old left fielder has spent more than a decade as one of the best hitters in the league. However, his health has been a significant issue in recent years. During the Astros’ World Series run in 2022, Brantley was limited to 64 games before getting shut down with shoulder discomfort. He eventually needed surgery, which wiped out the second half of that season. He is prioritizing his health and time with his family as he heads into retirement after a 15-year career.

Struggling to Stay Healthy

The shoulder injury lingered into 2023. Brantley didn’t make an appearance in the majors until late August. He continued battling soreness even when activated off the injured list. Brantley made 57 plate appearances over 15 games on the year. He made 32 more plate appearances for the Astros in the postseason but hit .179/.281/.321 in those.

He received some interest from the Toronto Blue Jays this winter but it appears he will hang up his spikes instead. Michael Brantley finishes with a lifetime batting average of .298. He is a member of the 1,000 hit club with 1,656 hits to his credit. Brantley also hit 129 home runs in his career to go along with his 720 RBI over 5,566 career at-bats. He spent the first 10 years of his career with the Cleveland Indians (now known as the Guardians). The last five years he spent with the Astros.

Family Time

Brantley is looking forward to spending many years with his family in this new chapter. “I have young kids, and now it’s time to be a dad, first and foremost,” the five-time All-Star outfielder said this week in discussing his decision to retire. “It’s time for me to be home 24/7, watch my kids grow up, and not miss important milestones.”

In fact, he won’t just be watching. He’s already signed up to coach Little League for Michael III, 8, and Maxwell, 6, the youngest of Michael and Melissa Brantley’s four children.