The baseball universe got some news on Friday: former Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley announced he is hanging up his cleats.
After spending 15 seasons as a major league player, Brantley will enjoy other ventures.
Even though he spent the last five years of his career with the Astros, Cleveland baseball fans are very fond of him.
Brantley went to three All-Star Games with the Guardians and won the Silver Slugger award in 2014.
“Dr. Smooth” was a steady presence at the top of the lineup for many successful Terry Francona teams.
Now, after finally winning a World Series ring with the Astros in 2022 and spending most of the 2023 campaign battling with his shoulder, “Uncle Mike” has decided it’s the perfect time to step aside.
Guardians fans are grateful for his contributions to the franchise and didn’t hide their feelings on Twitter.
Arguably my favorite Guardian of all time
— Isaac Okoro Fan Club (@IsaacOkoroFan) January 5, 2024
Remembering 2014 Dr. Smooth. pic.twitter.com/CXrBHEuzoj
— Guard The Corner (@GuardTheCorner) January 5, 2024
congrats to Dr. Smooth🥹
— Alys (@alys216) January 5, 2024
I love uncle Mike great person & career
— Amy Stonesifer (@StonesiferAmy) January 5, 2024
When Brantley was in his prime, he had to miss the 2016 World Series (and the postseason as a whole) with an injury.
Some fans believe that the Guardians would have won the Fall Classic had Brantley and pitcher Carlos Carrasco been healthy enough to play:
Him and Carrasco aren’t hurt we sweep the cubs.
— Ron Yourstowsky (@ryaz1776) January 5, 2024
Of course, it’s impossible to prove, but it’s impossible not to think about what could have been.
Brantley stayed in Cleveland until 2019, when he went to the Astros and became a fan favorite there, too.
All in all, he is saying goodbye with a solid .298/.355/.439 line, a .794 OPS, 348 doubles, and 129 home runs.
His incredible contact skills and plate discipline made him one of the toughest outs in MLB in his prime.
He will be missed in the diamond.
NEXT: Former Guardians Star Announces His Retirement
