Jason Heyward Retires After 16 MLB Seasons

Jason Heyward, a five-time Gold Glove winner and key contributor to the Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series championship, announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Friday after 16 seasons.

The 36-year-old outfielder, known as "J-Hey," shared the news initially on Instagram before elaborating during an interview on MLB Network. Heyward began his career with the Atlanta Braves, who drafted him in the first round, 14th overall, in 2007 out of Henry County High School in suburban Atlanta. He debuted in 2010, earning All-Star honors that year and setting career highs of 27 home runs and 82 RBIs in 2012.

Over his career, Heyward batted .255 with 186 home runs and 730 RBIs in 1,824 games across six teams. After five seasons with the Braves from 2010 to 2014, he joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015. The following year, he signed an eight-year, $184 million contract with the Cubs, the largest in franchise history at the time. Heyward spent seven seasons in Chicago through 2022, winning two of his Gold Gloves there and playing a pivotal role in the team's first World Series title since 1908. His leadership shone during a rain delay in Game 7 of that series, where he delivered a...