With the 2024 MLB season completed, we now have a better sense of which players have officially ended their playing careers. A few of the game’s top stars over the last decade have called it quits, including a first baseman who could find himself in Cooperstown, New York in the coming years. Here’s a look at the notable players who retired from MLB in 2024 and early 2025.
MLB Players Who Retired in 2024-25
| Name | Position | 2024 Team (If Applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Jay Jackson | RP | Twins |
| Brandon Crawford | SS | Cardinals |
| Shin-Soo Choo | OF | SSG (Korea) |
| Daniel Hudson | P | Dodgers |
| Alex Kirilloff | 1B/OF | Twins |
| Charlie Blackmon | OF | Rockies |
| Nori Aoki | OF | Yakult (Japan) |
| Charlie Culberson | INF/OF/P | None |
| Joey Votto | 1B | Blue Jays (Minors) |
| Elvis Andrus | 2B/SS | None |
| Darin Ruf | 1B/OF | None |
| Dylan Bundy | SP | None |
| Cole Hamels | SP | None |
| Austin Brice | SP/RP | Phillies/Twins (Minors) |
| Kevin Kiermaier | OF | Blue Jays/Dodgers |
| Wil Myers | 1B/OF | None |
| James Paxton | SP | Dodgers/Red Sox |
| Ehire Adrianza | INF | Angels |
Arguably the most notable name on this list is Joey Votto. Votto, a former NL MVP who led the Senior Circuit in on-base percentage seven times, attempted to play in 2024 with the Blue Jays after the Reds parted ways with him last fall. However, Votto called it quits while working his way up with Buffalo (AAA).
Another star from the 2010s, Elvis Andrus, is also retired. Andrus confirmed in September 2024 that he’ll retire as a member of the Rangers. He will end his career with 347 career stolen bases and over 2,000 career hits.
Another great shortstop from the 2010s, Brandon Crawford, announced his retirement on November 27. Crawford was a two-time World Series champion with the Giants and hard arguably his best career season at the age of 34. Crawford hit 24 home runs and drove in 90 for San Francisco in 2021, a season that also saw him win a Gold Glove and finish fourth in NL MVP voting.
Crawford spent 2024 with the Cardinals, his lone season outside the Giants organization. He hit .169/.263/.282 over 28 games with St. Louis.
One of Crawford’s former Giant teammates, Darin Ruf, meanwhile, joined the Nebraska-Omaha baseball coaching staff, as confirmed by the team. Ruf had more success playing in Korea compared to the Majors but the ex-Phillie did post some solid campaigns, including in 2013 when he belted 14 home runs over 73 Major League games.
Former first-round pick Dylan Bundy also retired this season. Bundy told MASN earlier in the year that he wasn’t throwing hard in 2023, sitting in the upper-80s.
Former All-Star Cole Hamels, a stalwart of the Phillies rotation and 2008 World Series champion, retired as a team member who drafted him in June.
Other notable names who either have retired or will retire include former Royal Nori Aoki, former Braves infielder Charlie Culberson, and current Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon. Blackmon ends his MLB career as a four-time All-Star and 2017 NL batting champion. During that 2017 campaign, Blackmon hit a career-high 37 home runs.
After the end of the 2024 season, two other players announced their intention to retire.
Daniel Hudson, who won the 2024 World Series with the Dodgers, confirmed after Game 5 that he would retire. Hudson posted a 3.00 ERA and struck out 63 over 63 innings for Los Angeles (NL). The 37-year-old won two World Series, one in 2024 and the other in 2019 with the Nationals.
He wasn’t the only Dodgers to go out on top. Kevin Kiermaier stated in the summer that 2024 will be his last season. The Dodgers acquired Kiermaier from the Blue Jays before the Trade Deadline.
Former first-round pick Alex Kirilloff announced his retirement on October 31, at the age of 26. Kirilloff cited injuries, including a lower back problem, as why he decided he to end his playing career. The former Twin hit .201/.270/.384 with five home runs in 2024 with Minnesota.
Mike Moustakas, a three-time All-Star, confirmed the end of his playing career in March 2025. Moustakas will sign a one-day contract on May 31 to retire as a Royal, re-joining the team that drafted him second overall in 2007.
Two years after the Royals drafted “Moose,” Kansas selected Wil Myers third overall. Myers told MLB.com in December 2024 his career is virtually done. However, the veteran infielder/outfielder doesn’t plan on filing retirement papers.