The Los Angeles Dodgers announced they will celebrate the 12-year career of Andre Ethier and honor him with a pregame retirement ceremony at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Aug. 3, prior to their game against the Houston Astros.
“I look forward to coming back to Los Angeles and Dodger Stadium, places I’m so lucky to have called home for the last 12 years,” Ethier said.
“There’s nothing like stepping out on the field at Dodger Stadium and looking up and seeing the faithful Dodger Blue supporting you, and I’m grateful for the reception and support I received in all my years playing there. I’m humbled by this evening and look forward to sharing it all with you.”
Ethier, who played all 12 of his Major League seasons with the Dodgers, didn’t garner any interest on the free agent market last winter, so at 36 years of age, he has decided to hang up his cleats.
The veteran outfielder hit .285/.359/.463 with 162 home runs and 687 RBI in his career with the Dodgers, being named an All-Star in 2010 and 2011. Ethier won a Gold Glove Award in 2011 and a Silver Slugger in 2009.
Either was a fan-favorite in Los Angeles and came up with dozens of clutch hits throughout the years for the Dodgers, which helped earn him the nickname ‘Captain Clutch.’
The tail end of his career was derailed by injuries, as Ethier played just 38 combined regular-season games in his last two seasons. He was able to return and contribute in the postseason both years, though.
His final at-bat was a single to drive in the Dodgers’ only run in Game 7 of the World Series against the Astros, where he and the Dodgers fell just short of winning their first championship since 1988.
Ethier was a 37th-round draft pick of the Oakland Athletics out of Arizona State in 2001 and was traded to the Dodgers in 2005 in exchange for Milton Bradley. His 1,455 games played with the Dodgers ranks 13th in franchise history.
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