There will be no more base hits or diving catches for Darin Erstad. After a 14-year MLB career that began soon after the Angels made him the first overall pick in the 1995 draft, Erstad says he's finished.
“I’m done,” he told Dave Selvig of the Jamestown Sun. “I had my time. I always said, ‘When I’m done, I’m done.’ I’m good.”
Erstad wanted to play this year and the Marlins were reportedly interested, but he didn't sign. That means the 36-year-old is spending more time than ever with his family. Assuming Erstad doesn't play again, his career earnings will fall just short of $50MM, according to Baseball-Reference.
Erstad won Gold Gloves in left field, center field and at first base and was named to two All-Star teams. He has a career .282/.336/.407 line with 179 steals and 124 homers. Erstad played for the Astros last year and the White Sox before that, but he's best-known for the decade-plus he spent in Anaheim.
He was always one of my favorites just because he played all out all the time.
Only player in MLB History with a Gold Glove in the infield and outfield. Pretty impressive
He was done before Bush’s second term started. He’s just decided to stop taking the field.
Erstad was a great ballplayer. Loved by his team. He was versatile and definitely provided some great moments for Angel fans.
Sometimes GGs get ridiculed as a popularity contest – in Erstad’s case he earned them. Those UZR ratings are insane (+146 for his career – a few years above +25).
Great guy who played the game right.
I’m sure Kenny Williams is looking up his agents number as we speak, he fit’s the Williams mold perfectly.
Welcome to the White Sox Mr. Erstad, you will fit right in.
Possibly the toughest baseball player of the decade.
“[H]e’s best-known for the decade-plus he spent in Anaheim.”
And his gritty, gritty punting.
Technically Erstad has been ‘done’ for quite awhile. If this helps him feel like he’s going out on his own terms then fine. Not to belittle his career but he hasn’t really helped a team in a long time and except for his rep as a good guy and a tough player he probably would have been ‘done’ for real a few years ago. Nothing personal, I just can’t help but notice that he hasn’t had an .OPS north of .700 since 2004.
Hall of fame?
The big question with Erstad is what happened to his power and speed.
HR’s by year …
97 – 16
98 – 19
99 – 13
00 – 25
He hit double digits in HR’s just one year after that – in 2001. His peak years (age 28-32) he hit a total of 28 HR’s in 2258 PA’s.
Then he lost his speed. He had stolen 20+ bases 5 times in 6 years. Then he bottomed out with 45 SB’s over the next 6 years.
It’s a very weird career path. He was essentially done as as a good offensive player at age 27. After that he really only brought his glove and leadership to the table.
His 2000 year though was absolutely insane. 355/409/541 – 28 SB’s – GG – worth almost 9 wins. Who would have guessed that at age 26 he would reach such a high peak and never come close to it again. That year his OPS got up to 951. Next best year after that was 702.
Steroids
What about them? The guy was never great at anything but defense. He had a couple of good years with the bat and one great season at age 26 when his batting average took a flukey spike. It happens, and happened long before big leaguers were taking steroids.
He was brought up at age 21.
He was only 27 in 2002, but it felt like he was 32.
He played the game so hard that he looked like he was 40 when he was 30.
Not surprised at all that he ran out of gas by the time he was actually 32.
That’s what happens when you play this game 200%, 100% of the time.
There’s a reason football players only last about 5-7 years on average (maybe less).
I wouldn’t be surprised if King Felix becomes a reliever when he’s 30. 😉