Retirements, 2018

The following players have announced their retirements:

Frank Lewis, 39, hit .223 with only 4 homeruns in his final season with the Utes.  While he still had his batting eye, drawing 87 walks, Frank’s bat speed diminished and pitchers were able to challenge the once great hitter.  Frank was able to reach the 3000 hit mark (exactly) before the season ended, and the 3 time world series winner was able to reach the postseason one more time.  Frank flew out in the 9th inning of game 6 against Miami, the final plate appearance of his career.

Yoda Skywalker, 37, enjoyed an injury free final season in Hawaii.  He hit .244 with 17 homeruns, however the once great defender showed diminished range at second base.  In a 15 year career Yoda had 2107 hits and hit 258 homers.

Chad White, 37, hit .241 with 17 homeruns in his final season.  In the playoffs, he hit 3 homers and drove in 11, including the game winning hit in the 7th inning of game 5.  Chad helped New York to the team’s 5th world title in his 17 seasons.  For his career, Chad hit 502 homers, drove in 1725 runs, stole 426 bases, and hit .297.  He was also one of the best defensive center fielders of all time, although he had lost much of his speed and played his final years in left field.

B.J. Lewis, 31, hit .227 over 13 seasons.  Once considered a great prospect, his career was a disappointment.  He played his final two seasons in Miami as a backup outfielder, but was left off of the postseason roster in 2018. He hit 114 homeruns and stole 231 bases.

Rocky Balboni, 36, played 15 seasons and finished with 2007 hits and 198 homers. His best season came in 2008 when he hit .298 with 31 homers and 120 RBI.  Two years later he helped Philadelphia win their only world championship.  He spent his last few years as a journeyman backup outfielder.

LeRoy Brown, 40, played his final 2 seasons in his home city of Chicago.  An imposing, muscular outfielder standing 6 foot 4, Brown was considered by many to be the baddest man in the whole damn town.  Known for his fancy clothes, diamond rings, and a custom built Lincoln Continental, Brown played 16 seasons and hit 462 homeruns.  His best season came in 2010 when he hit 50 homers and knocked in 130 for the Springfield Isotopes.  In 2017 he joined his hometown club at the age of 39 and found the fountain of youth, hitting 39 homers.  In 2018 he struggled to hit .226 with 6 homers and only 14 RBI and finished the season spending most of his time on the bench.

Paul White, 40, known as “The Big Show”, played 19 seasons and hit 619 homers.  He also drew 1645 walks and drove in 1849 runs.  In 2005 he hit 47 homers, two years later he hit a career best 49. He finished his career with Springfield and hit 30 homers, though his average fell to .202. The Big Show always swung big.  He connected often, but also missed often.  His 2743 strikeouts are more than anyone else in baseball history, 146 more than Reggie Jackson.