One seasoned MLB infielder is officially performing Sinatra’s “My Way.”
Kolten Wong, the former second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, announced his formal retirement from Major League Baseball this weekend in an interview with local media at his alma school, the University of Hawaii. Wong expressed his excitement about spending more time with his family, which includes his two children, while in town to toss the first pitch at a Rainbow Warriors game.
Regarding his professional career, Wong stated, “I’m pretty much done right now,” according to Brian McInnis of Spectrum News Hawaii. I’ve kind of decided that I’m going to hang them up for good. It’s just one of those situations where there’s no use in chasing [it] given the way the game is going right now. I’m enjoying being a father now. My goal is to be the greatest major league parent I can be. I will thus adhere to that.
The St. Louis Cardinals were where 34-year-old Wong started his Major League Baseball career in 2013 and stayed until 2020. Wong would go on to become a St. Louis playoff hero, despite being most recognized for a big error he made on the basepaths during a 2013 World Series game. In 2019 and 2020, he also won Gold Glove Awards while playing second base.
Wong batted.262 during his two seasons as a regular at second base for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021–2022. He then moved about with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners, making his final MLB appearance with the Dodgers in 2023. The Baltimore Orioles offered Wong a minor-league deal in 2024, but he never returned to the major leagues.
When Wong was making candid remarks about Orioles star Jackson Holliday, that was the last time we heard from him. Wong is now prepared to enter his next phase after 11 MLB seasons and more than $47 million in compensation.
