After 10 years in the Major Leagues, Jason Kipnis has retired from professional baseball at the age of 35. Kipnis, who most notably played for the Cleveland Guardians, with brief stints with the Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves, released this statement on Twitter.
“There is no real ending. It’s just the place you stop the story.”
I’d be lying if I said I wanted to write this. To have to officially acknowledge that my time as a player in the game of baseball is over. I always heard you rarely get to end your career on your own terms. They weren’t lying. Breaking my hamate bone on my last swing with Cleveland meant no fun hat tip before leaving. Got to go home and wear the Cubbie blue and return to Cle as a visitor; pandemic, empty stadiums, no closure. Instead, it ended the way my professional career started, riding buses in the minor leagues. And then the lockout happened, and before I knew it, it was over. My mind and body just aren’t up for the commitment anymore. Frustrating at first, but there’s only one feeling I’m left with that stands out above all…. Gratitude.
First and foremost, thank you Mom and Dad. For everything. Every team you signed me up for. Every game, practice, or lesson you drove me to. Every whiffle ball you pitched to me. Every game you made it to and every text you sent when you couldn’t. This journey never starts without the two of you by my side. I know I didn’t always make it easy, but I hope I made it worth it. Hard singles, love
you.
Thank you to Amanda, Blair, Todd, Samantha, Erica, Mary, and the Millers, and all my guys back home. One of my favorite compliments I get is that the game never changed me. It’s because you guys, as my inner circle, are all I’ve ever needed. The ups and downs, every one of them, were made better because I had you guys and your support in my corner.
Thank you to my teammates, coaches, and trainers along the way. Without your guys help every day, my career never would have reached the heights it did. I hope playing alongside me was a fraction as much fun as I had playing alongside all of you. I’m not sure anyone has had more fun playing this game then I did. If the lifelong friends and memories are all I have left over from this game now, then that’s just fine by me!
To Beverly Hills Sports Council, Danny and Mark, thank for the support and guidance you’ve given me in this game. Your support and loyalty have meant the world to me.
To Cleveland, thank you for being you. I was lucky to be drafted by you. I always wanted my play to echo the city’s attitude every time I took the field. There were ups and downs of my career sure, but one thing I never wanted you to question was how hard I played for the name on the front. I tried to make you proud every game. You guys gave me the chance to live out my dream and I’ll never forget some of the amazing moments we shared together!
To the fans, thank you for making this game and life experience what it was. You guys made me feel larger than life and I am grateful for every interaction, positive or negative, that came along the way. Every moment was made better because of you guys and your passion for the game.
Lastly, thank you to the game of baseball. The impact you’ve had on my life is immeasurable. From the dreams of a boy in Northbrook to the biggest stage there is. You’ve shaped me into who I am today. It was an honor and a privilege to play this game. I may regret the way we ended, but I will never regret what we had. I am forever a fan of yours.
Forever grateful,
Jason Kipnis
Kipnis will finish his career with a lifetime .260 average, 126 home runs, 545 RBI, and a 21.3 WAR
We here at Inside the Diamonds wish Kipnis a happy and well-deserved retirement!
