Garrett Cooper announces immediate retirement after 13 years in MLB

In the United States, Garrett Cooper, a former Major League Baseball player, announced his immediate retirement on September 28, 2025, through social media. At 34 years old, Cooper’s career spanned 13 years, including eight seasons in the Major Leagues. His last season saw him play only 35 games with the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A affiliate, where he struggled with a batting average of .228 before being released. Once a promising player who made it to the All-Star game in 2022 with the Miami Marlins, his professional journey included stops with notable teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and San Diego Padres, but it ultimately ended with a season filled with challenges and limited play time. Cooper began his career with the New York Yankees, joining them in 2017, and made an impression early on, hitting .326 in a small sample size. However, a trade to the Miami Marlins shortly after resulted in a longer tenure there, where he was recognized for his abilities. His stint with the Marlins culminated in a playoff appearance in 2020, which was a highlight of his career. After making a mid-career transition to teams like the San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox, Cooper found himself on a rather unstable path in professional baseball. The 2024 season saw him sign a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles, which led to sporadic appearances and eventually finished with limited success. Cooper's retirement comes as a reflective moment for him, where he expresses gratitude for the sport and what it represented in his life. He shared on Twitter his appreciation for the experiences he had throughout his career, stating, "Baseball has been my life for as long as I can remember. I’m grateful for what it gave me, and I’m proud of what I gave back." His retirement not only marks the end of his personal journey as a player but also raises discussions around the evolving dynamics of a player's career and the common fate of once-promising athletes. As Cooper steps away, he looks forward to the next chapters in his life, leaving behind a journey that, despite its ups and downs, contributed to his legacy in Major League Baseball. In a parallel story, another MLB player, Michael A. Taylor, also retired recently. His announcement came just before the final game of the season for the Chicago White Sox. This indicates a broader trend of notable players stepping away from the game recently, reflecting on their careers and the continuity within Major League Baseball.