Mitch Garver, World Series Champion, Retires from MLB at 35
The catcher and designated hitter announced his retirement after a 10-season career with three MLB teams.
Mitch Garver, a catcher and designated hitter who won a World Series title, has announced his retirement from professional baseball at the age of 35. His 10-year major league career included stints with the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners.
Garver confirmed his decision to retire in a text message to MLB.com. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Twins, where he earned a Silver Slugger Award in 2019. During that standout year, he hit 31 home runs, drove in 67 runs, and achieved an OPS of .995.
In 2022, Garver was traded to the Texas Rangers and became a key player in their 2023 World Series championship run. In the 2023 postseason, he played in 14 games, batting .226 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.
Following the World Series victory, Garver signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. He struggled offensively in Seattle and primarily served as a backup to catcher Cal Raleigh. Despite his reduced role, Garver was noted for his positive clubhouse presence and support of Raleigh during his record-setting season.
The Mariners released Garver in August, and he subsequently signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees but did not appear in a major league game for the team. In his 701-game career, Garver posted a .229 batting average, with 110 home runs and 324 RBIs.