SouthernWorldwide.com – Infielder Major League Baseball (MLB) veteran, Gio Urshela, announced his retirement from professional baseball on Monday at the age of 34.
Urshela concluded a decade-long career in the majors, during which he spent a significant portion of his time with the New York Yankees from 2019 to 2021. His baseball journey also saw him play for several other teams, including the Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and the Athletics.
In a heartfelt statement shared on his Instagram account, Urshela reflected on the momentous decision. “Today is the day. The day you never dream about, the day you never imagine, the day you never expect to come… but deep down you know that one day it will arrive,” he wrote.
He continued to express his feelings about closing this chapter of his life. “Today is the day to close this chapter as a professional player, and this is not a moment to be sad, it is a moment to be grateful to God for allowing me to play this beautiful sport that changed my life.”
Urshela acknowledged the profound impact baseball has had on his life and the people he has encountered. “Through baseball, I met wonderful people, people who contributed so much to my career and helped shape me into the person I am today,” he stated.
He also extended his gratitude to his family and supporters back in his native Colombia. Their unwavering support throughout his career was deeply appreciated. “And to every person who, in one way or another, helped make my career much better – THANK YOU. I will always carry you in my heart, and the beautiful memories will stay with me forever,” Urshela added.
Urshela’s MLB career began in 2015 when he made his debut with the Cleveland Guardians, playing in 81 games for the team that year.
His most recent stint was with the Athletics in the previous season. During his time with the team, he appeared in 59 games, accumulating a batting average of .238 with 20 runs batted in (RBI). He also represented Colombia in the World Baseball Classic.
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Throughout his professional career, Gio Urshela posted a .270 batting average, with a total of 73 home runs and 352 RBI.
