Nick Markakis retires after 15 years with Braves, Orioles

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Friday, March twelve, 2021
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ATLANTA (AP) — Outfielder Nick Markakis has retired just after a 15-12 months occupation with the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles.

The 37-12 months-aged Markakis, who was a free of charge agent, instructed The Athletic in a story published Friday that he was performed participating in just after accumulating 2,388 hits, earning his lone All-Star collection in 2018 and coming in just a single acquire of reaching the Earth Collection in his remaining year.

Braves supervisor Brian Snitker named Markakis “the consummate professional in every thing he did.”

Even however he no for a longer time match into the team’s options, Snitker mentioned Markakis’ presence was missed in the Braves clubhouse. The supervisor talked with him on Thursday about his retirement options before he designed them formal.

“It’s a significant hole in there with no him,” Snitker mentioned. “We all overlook him. Just his security and the calming influence he experienced on everyone. It was just a wonderful occupation. … I felt honored to deal with him for the previous couple of many years of his occupation.”

The two of the teams that Markakis performed for congratulated him on his occupation.

Congrats to Nick Markakis on his retirement from baseball just after an extraordinary 15-12 months occupation.
Thank you for the memories, the hustle, and your countless contributions to this organization. Best of luck in your upcoming chapter, Nick! pic.twitter.com/T9IGMflOSG

— Baltimore Orioles ?? (@Orioles) March twelve, 2021

“We would like you all the most effective in your retirement, Nick!” the Braves wrote on their Twitter account.

“Congrats to Nick Markakis on his retirement from baseball just after an extraordinary 15-12 months occupation,” mentioned the Orioles, who had been Markakis’ workforce for his first 9 seasons. “Thank you for the memories, the hustle, and your countless contributions to this organization. Best of luck in your upcoming chapter, Nick!”

Markakis joined the Orioles in 2006 and performed at minimum 104 games each and every year until finally his previous, finishing with a occupation normal of .288. He to begin with opted out of the pandemic-shortened 2020 year, only to change his thoughts and return to the Braves in a aspect-time position.

He hit a stroll-off homer in his first activity back and almost reached the Earth Collection for the first time. The Braves gained two playoff sequence — their first postseason victories because 2001 — and took a three-one lead above the Dodgers in the NL Championship Collection. But Los Angeles rallied for 3 straight victories to progress to the Earth Collection, the place they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays.

Markakis two times batted .three hundred and experienced a pair of one hundred-RBI year with the Orioles. He experienced double-figure homers each and every 12 months in Baltimore, like a occupation-most effective 23 in 2007.

A native of suburban Atlanta, Markakis joined his hometown workforce as a free of charge agent in 2015 when the workforce was likely through a agonizing rebuilding procedure. Following 3 rough many years, the Braves broke through to capture the NL East title in 2018, with Markakis participating in a critical position.

“He introduced particularly what we had been hunting for,” Snitker mentioned. “The security, the professionalism. He was accountable to everyone. He went through some rough situations here. He’s to be recommended for that.”

In 2018, Markakis performed all 162 games, batted .297 with 14 homers and ninety three RBIs, and was chosen to the All-Star Recreation for the first time.

Markakis experienced a a lot more confined position his remaining two seasons with the Braves, but was however a effective player and immensely preferred with his teammates.

He came up just quick of the final stage.

“We obtained a activity absent from the Earth Collection,” Snitker mentioned. “I would have liked to do that for him. He was what the Atlanta Braves are all about.”

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