Former Yankees Shortstop, 11-Year MLB Veteran Announces Retirement

Didi Gregorius, the former New York Yankees shortstop who made a name for himself in The Bronx after taking over the shortstop position from Derek Jeter, has announced his retirement from professional baseball. Gregorius, 36, made the announcement after a career that included 10 major league seasons, four postseason appearances with the Yankees and an All-Star-caliber peak that made him one of the game's more productive shortstops. Antonio Puesan relayed the announcement Aug. 21 on Twitter/X.

Born in Amsterdam and raised in Curacao, Gregorius reached the majors with the Cincinnati Reds in 2012, then was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks after the season. His career changed in December 2014, when the New York Yankees acquired him in a three-team trade to replace Jeter, who had retired after the 2014 season. Gregorius initially faced the enormous expectations that came with succeeding a franchise icon and future Hall of Famer, but he steadily established himself as a dependable two-way shortstop.

In parts of 11 MLB seasons, Gregorius saved his best years for New York. More news: Yankees’ Aaron Judge Does Something He Hasn’t Done Since May In 2017, Gregorius hit .287 with 25 home runs and 87 RBIs, breaking Jeter's Yankees record for homers by a shortstop and earning consideration in American League MVP voting. He followed that with an even more productive 2018 season, batting .268 with 27 homers and 86 RBIs in 134 games.

The 27 homers established another Yankees record for a shortstop, while his 89 runs, 55 extra-base hits and 10 stolen bases were career highs. Gregorius' 2018 season included one of the most memorable offensive performances of his Yankees tenure. In the home opener against Tampa Bay, he hit two home runs and drove in a career-high eight runs, setting a Yankees record for RBIs by a shortstop in a game.

He also became the first Yankees shortstop to record five multi-home-run games in a season. More news: Former Yankees Infielder, 36, Announces Immediate Retirement From MLB Injuries altered the trajectory of Gregorius' career. He underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2018 season and returned in June 2019.

He left New York after that season and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he spent three seasons. In 2020, Gregorius hit .284 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs in 60 games, but injuries and declining production eventually led to his release by the Phillies in 2022. More news: Yankees Legends Pay Tribute to Tommy John Gregorius was released from a minor league contract by the Seattle Mariners in 2023, effectively ending his major league career with a .257 batting average, 134 home runs, and 530 RBIs in 1,077 games.