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Longtime outfielder Jason Heyward announced his retirement during an appearance on MLB Network’s “MLB Central” on Friday.
The 36-year-old Heyward played for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and San Diego Padres during his 16-year MLB career.
Heyward was selected by the Braves with the 14th overall pick in the 2007 MLB draft. He chose to sign a professional contract over playing for UCLA and would spend several seasons in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut on April 5, 2010.
During Heyward’s first MLB at-bat, the “J-Hey Kid” introduced himself on his very first swing with a three-run home run off Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano.
Heyward would spend his first five major league seasons with the Braves before moving on to the St. Louis Cardinals for the 2015 season via a trade. The following offseason, he signed an eight-year, $184 million contract in free agency to join the Cubs.
He would win a fourth Gold Glove that season, but his biggest impact came during the Cubs' run to the World Series that fall. His go-ahead run in Game 4 of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants helped Chicago move on to the NLCS.
In the World Series against the Cleveland Indians, Heyward called a players-only meeting during a 17-minute rain delay in Game 7 and stressed the team "stick together" and for the players to "fight for your brothers." The Cubs would win 8-7 in extra innings to break the franchise’s 108-year title drought.
Following his time in Chicago, Heyward would play parts of two seasons with the Dodgers and Astros before wrapping up his career with the Padres in 2025.
Over 16 season, the five-time Gold Glove winner and 2010 NL All-Star played 1,824 games, hit 186 home runs, recorded 730 RBI, and scored 879 runs.
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The 36-year-old Heyward played for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and San Diego Padres during his 16-year MLB career.
Heyward was selected by the Braves with the 14th overall pick in the 2007 MLB draft. He chose to sign a professional contract over playing for UCLA and would spend several seasons in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut on April 5, 2010.
During Heyward’s first MLB at-bat, the “J-Hey Kid” introduced himself on his very first swing with a three-run home run off Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano.
Heyward would spend his first five major league seasons with the Braves before moving on to the St. Louis Cardinals for the 2015 season via a trade. The following offseason, he signed an eight-year, $184 million contract in free agency to join the Cubs.
He would win a fourth Gold Glove that season, but his biggest impact came during the Cubs' run to the World Series that fall. His go-ahead run in Game 4 of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants helped Chicago move on to the NLCS.
In the World Series against the Cleveland Indians, Heyward called a players-only meeting during a 17-minute rain delay in Game 7 and stressed the team "stick together" and for the players to "fight for your brothers." The Cubs would win 8-7 in extra innings to break the franchise’s 108-year title drought.
Following his time in Chicago, Heyward would play parts of two seasons with the Dodgers and Astros before wrapping up his career with the Padres in 2025.
Over 16 season, the five-time Gold Glove winner and 2010 NL All-Star played 1,824 games, hit 186 home runs, recorded 730 RBI, and scored 879 runs.
Continue reading...
