Utility-man Brock Holt has announced his retirement from the game after ten years in the major leagues in a post on Instagram. Holt spent seven seasons with the Red Sox, but also had stints with the Pirates, Brewers, Nationals and Rangers during his career. He retires with a career .262/.332/.362 slash line and 25 home runs across 751 games.
“Today I hang them up knowing I did the best I could for me, my family, and my teammates. I’m proud of every single second of it.” Holt wrote.
Drafted in the ninth-round of the 2009 draft by the Pirates, Holt made his MLB debut in Pittsburgh in 2012. He appeared in a handful of games that year before the Pirates shipped him and closer Joel Hanrahan to the Red Sox in the Mark Melancon deal. In 2014 he established his value in Boston, appearing in 106 games and hitting .281/.331/.381 while logging time at every position bar pitcher and catcher. Having not accrued enough plate appearances during the previous two seasons, Holt was eligible for rookie of the year honors that year, and finished eighth in AL voting.
Holt continued to provide value to the Red Sox, earning an All-Star game selection in 2015 and appearing in eight games during Boston’s World Series-winning postseason in 2018. In the final two years before free agency, Holt hit .286/.366/.407 in 662 plate appearances and set himself up to do nicely on the open market.
That wasn’t to be though, and Holt signed with the Brewers late in the winter prior to the 2020 campaign. After the pandemic-induced delay to that season, Holt hit just .100/.222/.100 in 36 plate appearances and was designated for assignment. He bounced around the majors a bit after that, spending time with the Nationals in late-2020, before playing for the Rangers during the 2021 campaign. Holt inked a minor league deal with the Braves prior to the 2022 season, but was released after failing to make the opening day roster.
We at MLB Trade Rumors congratulate Holt on his career in the majors, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
there is 780 players currently on mlb rosters as of this moment, all 780 are gonna retire within the next 25 years, that’s crazy
Umm ok?
And in 25 years I’ll be 25 years older than I am right now.
This is absolute proof the American education system is not failing its students with regard to teaching math. You guys make me proud!
MLBTR shrieks from excitement because = more content
Codee – I hafta admit, reading this article was like reading Baseball-Reference. Other than the one brief quote, that’s all it was. Just a bland recital of easily obtainable statistics.
And shockingly but not surprisingly, no mention of Brock’s greatest achievement, the only man to hit for the cycle in the postseason … and he did it in Yankee Stadium of all places.
I kidded my sister his middle name was Lee. She didn’t notice it was a joke until she then said the first and middle names together. My favorite Holt moment outside of his cycle. The other moment I recall was during his first call up and I was impressed with how he ran every ball out, not conceding anything. Good luck Brock!
Ya so?
Congratulations brockstar
Good Luck Brock!
Nice little career for someone without any one particular skill. Good luck. I’m a little surprised he doesn’t get an offer, but maybe this is a chance to get into coaching.
As an O’s fan, I remember him being super pesky and getting a good bit of praise from Buck for his grit. Was more spotty against the other AL east teams but he wore out the O’s (OPS over 800 and an OBP over 400 on 248 PAs).
I wonder if you might be right about coaching with the current trend towards more expansive, younger coaching staffs and less emphasis on the traditionally defined coaching roles. Probably a better route to stay “in the show” rather than be a bubble guy heading into his mid 30’s.
Brock is one of the good guys, one of my favorite Red Sox players, and an absolute beloved member of the Boston sports community. Enjoy your retirement Brockstar, and enjoy some much deserved time with your family. Your value in heart, dedication, and love of the game, is something every player should try to emulate.
The legend of the Brockstar will live forever. A hustling, butt busting blue collar hero .
Absolutely correct. The Red Sox made a big mistake in not keeping him when he became a free agent.
If you didn’t play in 2022 at any level, then you don’t need to announce your retirement. Retirement announced you.
Not always true 8791Slegna – Jim Edmonds played MLB in 2008, took the entire 2009 season off, and then returned to play for 2 MLB teams in 2010. I’m sure there are other similar examples.
Bard.
If you don’t announce your retirement your not retired, just unsigned. That’s how it works.
Next stop Cooperstown.
I mean, normally I wouldn’t, but your avatar invites it:
Brock Holt has more World Series rings than every member of the Yankees Roster. Not that the championship are the only judge of a guy’s career, but you don’t have to be bound for Cooperstown to have had an impact on the games and fans.
It was a solid burn but not accurate… lots of Yankees have rings, just not with the Yankees… Rizzo, Benitenti, Chapman and Cole off the top of my head.
Brock has 2!
Cole does not have a ring.
Holy Cow. Brock did play 26 games on the 2013 Sox and got a ring.
The Cheatin Sox have a ring. The Regular Sox have 3 since 1918.
No evidence of cheating in 2004, 2007 and 2013. The 2018 Red Sox were investigated for months and MLB admitted in their report that they uncovered no evidence. The conclusion was clearly not supported by evidence.
They were investigated and fined. So clearly there was evidence.
No, there was no evidence. It was speculation. The commissioner can “find” whatever he wants with or without actual evidence. MLB’s investigation of the 2018 Red Sox went on for months and uncovered no evidence of cheating. They admitted this in their report when they said they have a “factual dispute”, “largely have no direct evidence” and “no written record, recording or other contemporaneous evidence of the underlying events”. There was no evidence presented and the conclusion of cheating “on at least some occasions” was clearly based on speculation as MLB’s investigation failed to document a single occasion of cheating. This was very unfair to the Red Sox and Red Sox fans and why I keep pointing it out. People should read the report which is still available on MLB.com.
Typical Yankee fan. How many you won this century?
@Joe s,
We’ve already been through this. Cooper’s Town, Bahamas is spelled with two words and an apostrophe. Come on, tighten it up!
@Bart LOL!!!! Awesome!!
Best of wishes to Brock, always appreciate a National, however briefly they were with the team.
What?
He wasn’t retired already?
The only player to cycle in the postseason in MLB history. I bet this isn’t the last we hear of the Holts in the MLB, rumor has it his son Griffin loves hitting bombs
True scrappy player. Was willing to do whatever asked of him and played his hardest at all times. Congratulations Brock on a fine career and thank you for all the memories.
Not to shabby a MLB career for a 9th round pick.
Congrats Brockstar!! Forever an all star and world champ.
He played every position on the field except catcher and also hit for the cycle in the 2018 ALDS.
Want to see why Brock was so well like by fans. Go to Baseball Ref and scroll down to Defense. It’s 69 lines long! Always ready to play anywhere. And he consistently gave you a .700 OPS to boot.
Respect.
Press conference announcing this took place in a freight elevator.
Get him in the Sox booth
Congratulations on the great career Brock. One of my favorite recent players.
I can’t believe there is no mention of that fact that Brock Holt is the ONLY player in MLB history to hit for the cycle is the post season. Be better MLB Trade Rumors!!!!
qbass – That’s just an example of the difference between writers who are actual fans of baseball, and writers who just enjoy looking up and spewing out numbers.
But hey it’s a free site, so we can’t really complain.
Brock Holt sounds like a adult film star name.
Red Sox HOF
He wasn’t already retired?
Forget the cycles, I didn’t know it was possible to throw a baseball so slow! Seriously though congrats
A very brief time spent with my Pirates, but his being traded away proved to be worth it for the Bucs: they got Mark Melancon as part of the return. Happy retirement Brock.
Rangers fans will always remember fondly his one season in Texas.
He’s an easy guy to like.
His best moment with the Rangers had to be his one inning of relief pitching against the A’s when he lit up the radar gun at 31 mph. As he walked to the dugout after the inning, he offered up his glove to the umpire for inspection.
The Brockstar gets it.
I will be sure to toast his career this weekend.
Best of luck to the BrockStar… you will be missed.
Sorry to see you go Brockstar. I was a big fan of your style and character. Thank you for the hustle and loyalty while with us in Boston. Have fun with the family!
congrats to the Brockstar. a brilliant contact-first super utility guy. You may not be on Cooperstown but your name will always popup if someone asks if anyone has ever hit for a cycle in the postseason……
Congrats to Brock on a solid career. If you ranked players by what they did off the field, Brock would be a hall of famer. The work he and his wife have done for the Jimmy Fund, a charity based here in Boston to treat children with Cancer is incredible Even after leaving Boston he has still been active with the charity. A class act all the way, and someone who was always easy to root for.
Now bring him home to Boston and add him to the coaching staff
pjgator
Good luck Brock…I always thought you looked young enough like you should you be home doing high school math instead of playing baseball late at night
One last time, hands in fists, both arms raised to the sky.
Brock Holt!!
Well done, Brock.
A great guy who had a positive attitude and played hard….. It made him approximately $16,500,000 ! He should be an example for those both on and off the sports field.
He can only retire in Brocktober. Best of luck to him. He did a lot of good in Boston with his charitable work.