After 19 years in professional baseball and 15 years in the major leagues, Michael Brantley hung up his cleats this offseason, ending a career that saw him get a World Series ring, 5 All-star selections and a Silver Slugger.
Brantley traded his bat for a golf clubs Monday, to help raise money for STEM Education through Reggie Jackson’s Mr. October Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic.
“I’m still trying to work out and stay in shape,” said Brantley. “Enjoying time with the kids as always, I signed up as a little league coach for the youngest two.”
Brantley says the decision wasn’t easy.
“It was tough, but at the same time I have a lot young kids at the house and they need daddy and I want to be home for those birthdays and the little events that I missed for 19 seasons playing professional baseball, so I’m excited about it, it’ll definitely be a change but I’m looking forward to it,” said Brantley.
Brantley’s teammates will miss him, as he was an integral part of Astros clubhouse leadership.
“It’s crazy, I always tell him I ended up crying toward the end when he said he was going to retire,” said Astros utility man Mauricio Dubon. “I always tell him, you can come back and still play, but he needs time with his kids.”
Brantley finished his career with a .298 batting average, 1,656 hits and 129 home runs. Brantley hit .283 in 271 postseason plate appearances.