HOUSTON — A pillar of the Houston Astros is retiring.
"Congratulations Michael Brantley on an outstanding career!" the team announced on social media.
Brantley, whose fans lovingly call him "Uncle Mike," has played with the Astros since 2019, spending 10 seasons in Cleveland previously. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005.
During his tenure with the Astros, the team went to three World Series, winning one of them, and played in the ALCS all five seasons.
Over the course of his career, Brantley has made 5,566 regular-season plate appearances averaging .298, according to MLB.com. He's recorded 1,656 regular-season hits and 129 home runs for 720 RBIs.
Brantley left this statement on his retirement:
"With great appreciation, I'm announcing the end of an amazing journey in Baseball. It's been a great honor to live out my dreams and wear a Major League uniform for the past 15 years. Representing the Houston Astros and the Cleveland Guardians has been an incredible privilege. My deepest thanks go out to my parents, whose support propelled me forward. Thank you to my wife and kids for their constant love and support throughout my career. In addition, I want to thank Larry Pardo, the scout whose belief in me in 2005 changed everything, giving me my first opportunity to play professional baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers.
"To my teammates, managers, coaches, medical staff, clubhouse attendants, and front offices of both organizations, your guidance and camaraderie shaped my career. And to the fans, your passion and support have been my driving force. While my time on the field concludes, I'll always carry these experiences and I want to thank you all for being part of this unforgettable chapter in my life."
According to an MLB.com report, Brantley will spend his retirement with his family, having signed up as a Little League coach for his kids.
In the words of the Astros, Brantley is "Forever a Champion" in the City of Houston.
