Former All-Star center fielder and 2016 World Series champion Dexter Fowler announced via Instagram and Twitter this morning that he’s retiring after a 14-year Major League career. The 36-year-old offered the following statement:
“It’s here. I’m hanging up my cleats. From an 18-year-old draft pick in Colorado to a ’vet’ in Anaheim — there are a few things I will never forget. Getting THAT call to the big leagues in September 2008. Wow. My world was spinning. My first ’you’ve been traded to Houston’ heart pounding call.
The feeling of bliss while hearing the words ’All-Star’. Never knew what it felt like to be that guy! Forever grateful. Soaking wet and freezing on the field with tears in my eyes after winning the World Series in Chicago. The comfort of calling St. Louis home and being a Red Bird. Today is one of those moments where you metaphorically step down from your throne with a standing ovation, a tip of the cap, and the world stops spinning. I’m mostly proud to look back at my career knowing that I played the game the right way and did my best to make a positive impact beyond the win.
Denver, Houston, Chicago, St. Louis and Anaheim. My family, friends, teammates and staff. Thank you for 14 years. I gave you my all.”
Fowler will go down as one of the best 14th-round picks in the sport’s history. (The only 14th-rounders with more career WAR are Dave Parker, Bob Welch, Rick Honeycutt and Keith Foulke, for those keeping score.) Selected out of Milton High School in Georgia back in 2004, Fowler was in the Majors four years later, enjoying a 13-game cup of coffee with the Rockies that year before cementing himself as a big leaguer the following season when he slashed .266/.363/.406 in 135 games and landed an eighth-place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
Over the next eight years, Fowler averaged 541 plate appearances and 130 games per season, batting a combined .269/.368/.443 with the Rockies, Astros, Cubs and Cardinals. Twice traded along the way, Fowler went from Colorado to Houston and from Houston to Chicago before reaching free agency.
It originally looked as though Fowler’s stop in Chicago would last just one year. He slashed .250/.346/.411 in a career-high 156 games while tallying a career-best 690 plate appearances before setting out into free agency. Reports of an agreement with the Orioles emerged but were shot down by both parties, and Fowler kept quiet until stunning his teammates and the baseball world at large when he walked into Cubs spring training with a new one-year contract to return for a second season (Bally’s Kelly Crull tweeted video of Fowler’s stunning return at the time).
That twist of fate reinstalled Fowler atop the Cubs’ lineup — the same position in which he found himself eight months later when he became the only player to ever lead off Game 7 of the World Series with a home run. The 2016 season proved to be the best of Fowler’s career, as he batted .276/.393/.447, made his lone All-Star appearance, and hit .250/.280/.444 with three home runs and five doubles throughout a 17-game march to the Cubs’ curse-breaking World Series victory in Cleveland.
Fowler parlayed that outstanding season into a five-year, $82.5MM deal with the division-rival Cardinals, who enjoyed a strong first year from their new center fielder before injuries began to take their toll. Fowler appeared in just 271 games over the next three seasons of the deal — one of which was the shortened 2020 campaign — and batted a collective .218/.320/.370 in that time. The Cardinals traded him to the Angels in Feb. 2021, and Fowler suffered a torn ACL just seven games into the season with the Halos. He rehabbed the injury and latched on with the Blue Jays on a minor league pact prior to the 2022 season, but Fowler was granted his release after just three games in Triple-A.
All told, Fowler’s career will draw to a close with a lifetime .259/.358/.417 batting line, 127 home runs, 253 doubles, 82 triples, 149 stolen bases, 817 runs scored, 517 runs batted in and a total of 1306 hits. That batting line was seven percent better than league average, by measure of wRC+, and both FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference peg Fowler’s career at 19.5 wins above replacement — a total that surely would’ve been higher had it not been for the tear in his wrist, the fractured foot and the torn ACL that eventually combined to wear Fowler down in what would be his final seasons.
Fowler will be fondly remembered for his role in the Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series win — both his regular season production and his Game 7 long ball — and for the gregarious personality and charismatic smile he so frequently brandished throughout his career. Congrats to Fowler on a lengthy and productive career, and best wishes in whatever the next chapter holds. As Fowler himself said in his retirement announcements today: “Stay tuned for what’s next.”
Always enjoyed watching him play. Best of luck Dexter.
Yeah watching him play felt just like when I was a kid on Christmas day. It only comes once a year, and thats how many games a season it felt like he played. Bum
“19.5 wins above replacement — a total that surely would’ve been higher had it not been for the tear in his wrist, the fractured foot and the torn ACL that eventually combined to wear Fowler down in what would be his final seasons”
I always felt bad for Fowler, after signing that contract with st louis he just never was really healthy except the first year and a half way decent rebound campaign in 2019? Fowler got some hate for it. It was obvious he cared and is a great guy
Have a good retirement daddy long legs
Worst outfielder in Cardinal history.
Must not have heard of dylan carlson
Both of y’all are insane
Dexter was a Fowlup in STL, terrible waste of coin…
@Cardsfan21,
I believe the correct spelling is ‘yous’.
His leadership lasted in the clubhouse with Harrison Bader still making whistling noises he learned from Dexter Fowler up until Bader trade last year…
It was a bad signing that blocked prospects, and it was all about getting back at the Cubs for signing Jason Heyward the offseason before… and for that I place the blame squarely on John Mozeliak… if Fowler stayed healthy the contract might have worked out…
Not even in the top ten worst…
His career OBP would have been top five in the NL last year.
Larry Bigbie and his -0.1 WAR would like a word
Worst outfielder in Cardinal history!
Worst Cardinal outfielder ever?
.233 average
49 HR
21 SB
Maybe you only feel that way because he helped the Cubs win the World Series
Marcell Ozuna would like a word.
So would Ozzie Canseco
Do you not remember Larry Bigby?
Hall of Fame here he comes
What a clever and completely necessary comment…
When he was healthy and playing well, he reminded me a little of WIllie McGee. One of those guys who just seems smooth on the field.
He was better than Jason.
Dexter, Cubs fans salute you both for an awesome 2016 and for a not so awesome stint with the dirty birds.
Was such a pro w/ CHC that he even helped them get rid of the stench of bring the loveable losers. Now it’s back lol.
Didn’t the Cubs win the division two seasons ago?
Folwer was the missing piece of “the Cubs Dynasty” we heard so much about, that never happened… for that alone he was worth 82.5 million
I don’t think having Fowler would have kept Kris Bryant from separating his shoulder in 2017 and really that injury derailed both KB’s career and the Cubs hopes of having multiple championships.
Of course, having Schwarber leading off didn’t help at all… nor did several poor free agent signings.
This happened to Scott Rolen as well… they just don’t build 3rd basemen like they used too
Great career. Seems like a good guy.
Enjoy retirement.
‘He go, we go’ – I’ll never forget the surprise when Dex walked into spring training. Even his teammates didn’t know he was coming back in 2016. Cubs couldn’t have won without him. And we haven’t had a real leadoff hitter since. Thanks, Dex, for all you did for us, and best of luck going forward.
He was the spark in that offense that they never could replace after ‘16
And I’ll repeat
“Folwer was the missing piece of “the Cubs Dynasty” we heard so much about, that never happened… for that alone he was worth 82.5 million”
Good Luck Dexter. I wish things could have worked out better in St.Louis but Cardinal fans will remember your infectious smile and your enthusiasm. You can hold your head high with a better than average career and placing your name in the record book. Salute.
Onto coaching and maybe a future manager!
One of the Angels’ all-time greats! 🙂
I enjoyed watching him play.
Such an important part of the 2025/2016 Cubs teams. Always enjoyed watching him play.
“He go, We go” could not be anymore true, when he left the Cubs offense was never the same.
It was a pleasure watching Fowler. He always looked fluid and smooth both offensively and defensively.
I was shocked when I learned he was 6-foot-5. He didn’t move like a big guy at all.
Good dude too.
Good luck in retirement.
Solid player. Unfortunately I remember him most for spurning the Orioles, however, that seemingly worked out for both sides.
Worst free agent Cardinals ever signed. Big waste of money
He should have said. “Thank you to the St. Louis Cardinals for ensuring I’ll never want for money.”
*salutes*
It always seems like there are certain teams that aren’t aware of the career-year-in-contract-year phenomenon, which has been validated in studies as a trend existing across all professional sports. Always amazes me when those players get massive contracts & immediately turn back into a ~pumpkin. The teams that sign consistently good players long-term well in advance of the contract year phenomenon have something figured out.
Good for Dexter & the incredible generational wealth he’s provided his family.
Yes, the career year and big contract led to injuries…
The anomaly of Fowlers last year in Chicago was his improved defensive play, which, imo, was largely due to Heyward being in RF. Aside from that, Fowler was pretty consistent posting around a 3 oWAR.
Actually, offensively, his numbers were better his first year in St Louis than his last year in Chicago.
“Been validated as a trend existing across all major sports,”
Yetipro….care to share your source? I suspect it’s more of “selective memory of fans” than actual data collected by a well done study.
But I look forward to being wrong.
There is a whole Wikipedia article which is a halfway decent introduction to the research. If you have an interest in reading the literature, as you state, searching it should not be difficult. Further, if I spent the time finding the studies again you would either not read them or already disagree with them before reading. This is the internet.
Unsure if this site allows links.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_year_phenomenon#
The big rookie whenever I started following the Rockies closely again in 2009, so Dex will always be young in my mind. He was good for Colorado, but for some reason I felt that he was still a bit of an underachiever when he was there. He just looked like he was capable of being an absolute superstar. Maybe it is just because the game came easy to him. I hope he does very well in retirement.
The “best fans” in baseball is becoming very tongue in cheek for me. It’s laughable to label either Fowler or Carlson the worst outfielder in Cardinal history. Enjoy your retirement Dexter. It’s not like you asked for your body to break down through injury.
I’ve unfortunately been calling us out for years for that silly term. We really do have amazing fans, and also a lot of idiots with silly opinions. The latter seems to be the “louder” of the two.
Then again, it’s a tad bit easier to criticize than achieve.
It true in just about any facet of life, politics, religion, finance, sports, parenting, or just about anything else. The loudest opinions on anything are usually the most cringe-worthy. It’s usually best to turn up your hearing aid and try and hear the soft speakers.
I’m a Cubs fan and my favorite place to catch a game, normally, is St Louis because the fan base there is typically awesome.
Most games I go to, the opposing fan base can only talk trash, St. Louis they can talk baseball and talk baseball respectfully with playful jabs here and there.
I also generally hit broadway oyster bar after the game and the cardinal fans win or lose just want to talk about the fame, did you see this play, that play, who’s pitching tomorrow? What about that one kid you have in the minors etc.
I hear you. It probably is just the noisiest fans online They are truly cringe worthy. I really don’t understand the hate they pour on a promising 23 yo outfielder.
You ain’t lying. Broadway Oyster Bar is one of my favorite restaurants in this great land!
Whoever made the claim that Fowler and Carlson are some of the worst outfielders in Cardinals history obviously never heard of or watched Roger Freed.
I really only come on this site to read various comments on different stories, It’s always amusing, especially when the one’s who never accomplished a thing are quick to ‘diss’ a Major League Baseball player as garbage, or sarcastically mention the HOF. Elevating yourself by attempting to bring someone else down, never works.
Congratulations Mr. Fowler on a long and storied career which includes an All Star appearance and a ring. Very few know what that is like. Good luck to you.
You hit the nail on the head…
Fowler was a tremendous reason the Cubs were good in 2015 and won the World Series in 16. He was solid player before coming to the Northside and unfortunately completely fell off after his first season with the Cardinals.
1st inning leadoff homer in game 7 of the World Series. Sigh (Tribe fan).
See you in Cooperstown, Dexter
It’s not like he can’t afford it but do you expect to have to pay full price to get him, and you, in?
Well played
Another clever and original Hall of Fame comment…
I understand Coopers Town, Bahamas is beautiful this time of year. Enjoy!
He had a pretty good career. Happy for him
Wow! I loved watching him play. I guess I never looked at his baseball reference page to see how long he had been playing. Happy Retirement!
Hall of Fame Statistics
Black Ink
Batting – 1 (949th), Average HOFer ≈ 27
Gray Ink
Batting – 17 (1395th), Average HOFer ≈ 144
Hall of Fame Monitor
Batting – 16 (1098th), Likely HOFer ≈ 100
Hall of Fame Standards
Batting – 17 (1044th), Average HOFer ≈ 50
JAWS
Center Field (158th):
19.4 career WAR | 16.9 7yr-peak WAR | 18.1 JAWS | 2.2 WAR/162
Average HOF CF (out of 19):
71.6 career WAR | 44.7 7yr-peak WAR | 58.1 JAWS | 5.4 WAR/162
————————–
Oh, just short of being a HOF…
/s
Fowler very well could be in the Cubs Hall of Fame… I mean Shawn Dunston is there and he was awful.
I’m wondering why you felt compelled to post all those metrics when nobody suggested he was anywhere near being a Hall of Fame player. Do you do this every time a player without Hall credentials retires?
I’m wondering why you felt compelled to respond to an obviously sarcastic post. Do you do this every time someone posts something sarcastic? Asking for a friend…
Why did you feel compelled to sarcastically note his lack of Hall of Fame credentials? Why mock the player on the occasion of his retirement?
Are you a big fan of him? Did I hurt your feelings? Im sorry. As for me somehow mocking him, he makes more money than I ever will. He doesn’t even care about some internet rando posting nonsense on the internet. He’ll be fine…
“rando posting nonsense” is spot on.
@gbs42
Did you miss the /s tag in my post above? Just noticing now? LOL! Amazing…
Congratulations on a fine career! He’s immortalized forever in Cubs history for being a big part of ending the championship drought.
Thanks for 2015 and 2016, Dexter. Now that you’ve retired, it’s no longer necessary to be diplomatic about your time in St. Louis.
Lead-off bomb in game 7. One of my all-time favorite cubbies. Really nice career. Thanks Dex! Good luck in your next phase of life!
Wow, over a $115 mil earned in his career. Did very well for himself.
Great personality and was very good with the Cubs. Class act!
He’s right, he played the game the right way..hard! He was so fun to watch. Probably gonna have a coaching career if he wants it.
Loved him as a Cub. They haven’t had a legit lead-off man since he left. I’m hoping just one day while out shopping I run into him. He resides in Las Vegas. It’s the same way I met Shane Victorino.
Class act !!! Good luck on your retirement, Dexter !!!
I wonder if Dexter is going to take time out of his day (probably to stop admiring that his grandkids won’t ever “need” to work) just to read the negative comments about himself here…
I’m gonna get in on this; Dexter; what a WOKE and a SNOwFLAKE
Outstanding semicolon usage!
A career he can definitely be proud of. Including an all-star nod and a ring. Best to you, Dex. Enjoy retirement!
I will admit that when the Cardinals signed him I thought it was the right move, but after the first year, it was all downhill. Matheny took a lot of grief in year two because, according to Dexter, Mike wouldn’t communicate with him. If I had a player hitting .160 and making that kind of money, I wouldn’t communicate with him either. Might be wrong, but thought he was an overpaid big baby.
Should be in jail. Robbed these owners of so much money its unbelievable. Don’t really understand the logic of a guy going to jail over $20 but some of these MLB players straight up rob the owners of millions and face no consequences what so ever. Modern day bank robbing to its fullest
Let me explain the logic to you then.
No ballplayer puts a gun to a GM’s head and demands a contract. Contracts are deliberately given to players by a franchise’s front office, presumably after having done due diligence before making an offer. Every team has an analytics department advising the GM.
If you have a complaint, it makes no sense to direct it at a player instead of at the people responsible for offering the contract.
I hope that clears it up for you.
No one put a gun to the head of the owner of the Cardinals, or any other owner for that matter, to force an owner to offer a contract to a player who is about to decline.
Spotrac puts Fowler’s career earnings at $106,575,370.
Fangraphs puts the dollar value of his career WAR at $146.1 million.
Dex, u didn’t win the world series in Chicago, it was in Cleveland. It was with Chicago..jk, congrats on the nice career
Love this guy! So much fun to watch him play. He has an infectious smile!
Good career, seems cool, made good money. He gets the Hawkeye Retirement Award. Thanks for the memories.