UPDATE (Nov. 26, 12:30 p.m.): Andre Ethier refuted the report he intends to retire, and reiterated his desire to play next season.
The last couple seasons have been difficult ones for Los Angeles Dodgers free agent outfielder Andre Ethier, as he suffered significant injuries in Spring Training in both 2016 and 2017 that kept him out a majority of both seasons.
After recovering from a broken tibia in 2016 and a herniated disc in his back in 2017, Ethier made it back in September in both seasons and became a valuable bat off the bench for manager Dave Roberts in the postseason both years.
His contract ended after the 2017 season though, and while it seemed unlikely with the Dodgers, the 35-year-old said he plans to play in 2018.
It appears he has had a change of heart, as according to Robert Murray of FanRag Sports, Ethier has told his friends and family that he is retiring:
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier has informed family and friends that he is retiring, league sources tell FanRag Sports.
If that is indeed the case, then that marks the end of Ethier’s 12-year Major League career that was spent entirely with the Dodgers. With 162 career home runs, Ethier ranks 12th on the Dodgers all-time home run list. He also drove in 687 runs and slashed .285/.359/.463.
Ethier was named an All-Star two times in 2010 and 2011 in addition to winning a Gold Glove in 2011 and a Silver Slugger award in 2009.
The 2009 season was a memorable one for Ethier, as he hit a career-high 31 home runs and drove in a career-best 106 runs. He earned the nickname ‘Captain Clutch’ that season when he had six walk-off hits, with four of them being of the home run variety.
Ethier was a second round draft pick by the Oakland Athletics in 2003 out of Arizona State University and he was traded to the Dodgers in exchange for Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez in 2005 before making his Major League debut on May 2, 2006.
While he didn’t earn that World Series Championship that he worked so hard to achieve, Ethier’s last at-bat as a Dodger was a single in Game 7 against the Houston Astros, driving in the Dodgers only run of the game.
Ethier was a fan favorite during his tenure with the Dodgers, and will forever be remember for his countless clutch hits throughout his career.
