Due to his wife, the Oakland Athletics all-time two players have officially announced there retirements due to…
Trevor May, a reliever for the Oakland Athletics, may have had the best MLB season of 2023, but 2024 will not be an encore.
During a Monday Twitch live stream, the 34-year-old right-handed pitcher formally declared his retirement from Major League Baseball.
“In 2008, for those who may not be aware, I was drafted at the age of eighteen,” May said his viewers during a two-hour live broadcast. “I’m 34 years old now. sixteen seasons. I am formally declaring my retirement from professional baseball after ten major league seasons. I’m not playing baseball anymore. I’m not sure why some of you guys are unhappy and booing. However, I’m content. Observe me. Have a look at my happy face.”
May threw portions of six
May threw portions of six seasons in Major League Baseball with the Minnesota Twins before joining the New York Mets for two years. He inked a one-year, $7 million deal with the Oakland A’s last offseason, and in 2023, despite the Oakland team’s hardships, he exceeded his career averages.
May had a career 4.35 ERA going into the season, but in 49 games, he recorded a 3.28 ERA. He became the A’s closer at the end of the season and made 21 saves.
Though May made it apparent on Monday that this was the best choice for him, he still had potential as an MLB pitcher going forward.
“I know that deep down I could play; I could physically do it,” May stated. Growing up, you’re supposed to play this entire thing until you can no longer play. You keep playing until your body gives out. And I have never accepted that notion. I think that’s incredibly foolish.
That was not what I wanted. That is not at all what I want. I want to leave on my own schedule. I want to leave my body in one piece. I still feel so bad. Everything is painful. I’m like, “Whoa,” because it’s aching more and more now that I’ve kind of let myself relax. This is absurd.”
May said those close to him understood which way he was leaning and that his decision to quit had been a long time coming.
May wants to do so much more with his life than just play baseball.
May said, “I have to tell you the truth.” I haven’t looked forward to reporting to spring training since the day I was drafted, but I also don’t want to say that I feared it either because I truly love a lot of other things.
I also prefer my off-season since it gives me time to accomplish things I enjoy and spend it with people I like. I’ve had to relocate away from my family on several occasions. I was forced to spend 15 years in Florida, which is the furthest thing from my family.
“I detest that the only person I get to spend a lot of time with is [his wife] Kate.” I detested it. I want to accomplish a thousand things. a million items. Everyone who has been here knows that, to put it simply, I absolutely love doing whatever I do outside of the game.
I enjoy teaching people about baseball, I enjoy talking about pitching, and I love the game. I will always have a soft spot for baseball. I’m going to play the game more now, if anything.
“I want to leave on my own terms, but you should be aware of how baseball generally operates.
Most men resign because they feel they are no longer good enough to play the game or the higher powers. And it sounds terrible to watch yourself gradually deteriorate until you’re battling just to be relevant and have a job—especially when I enjoy everything else so much more.”
According to Spotrac, May earned $27,349,289 across his career, with his final $125,000 coming from an MLB appearance with the A’s.
May completed 35 of the 49 games he played, fulfilling one of the incentives outlined in his contract by ending the A’s second-to-last game of 2023.
May declared, “I purposely chose the A’s.” “I truly did, even though I know I’ve said that. In that circumstance, I knew it would
occur, but I went ahead and made the decision because I wanted to build genuine relationships with my teammates, supporters, and other players without worrying about anything being scrutinized. For example, I would never get to be the person I am now if I failed.
I would always withdraw into my shell. Because of the game, I was constantly protecting myself.
“I believe that this year has fulfilled all of my desires. I believe I achieved my goals and then some. The guys in the clubhouse are my favorites. The A’s organization is fantastic. I adore the new acquaintances I’ve made and the company I keep. Everyone is aware.
On the final day, I told every coach in the clubhouse about it. On my most recent excursion, I received an incentive bonus that I had not anticipated receiving. The men helped me get it, and I got it.”
During his Monday live stream, May frequently showed his affection for the Oakland Athletics organization, but he also had some harsh words for team owner John Fisher, who is attempting to relocate the franchise from Oakland to Las Vegas.
