Robinson Chirinos, the veteran catcher who played in the Major League Baseball for 13 seasons, has announced his retirement from professional baseball. Chirinos, who spent last season with the Baltimore Orioles, cited his passion and love for the sport as his main reason for playing the game. He announced his retirement on social media, thanking his fans for their loyalty and dedication throughout his career.
Chirinos started his career as an amateur with the Chicago Cubs in 2000 but spent ten years in the Cubs’ minor league system before making his debut in the MLB with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011. He then later joined the Texas Rangers, where he spent six seasons and grew into a power-hitting catcher. He hit 67 home runs between 2013 and 2018, helping the Rangers to become a strong contender in the American League.
In 2019, Chirinos played for the Houston Astros, where he hit .238 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI in 114 games, helping the team to the World Series against the Washington Nationals. He also hit two home runs in Games 3 and 4, helping the Astros even the series against the Nationals, who went on to win the series in seven games.
Chirinos finished his career with a .231 batting average, 95 home runs, and 306 RBI in 714 major league games. He played for six different teams, including the Mets, Cubs, and Orioles, where he finished his career.
Throughout his 13 seasons in the MLB, Chirinos was known for his strong throwing arm and defensive skills behind the plate. He was regularly seen using the old-style one-handed catching glove, and he did not develop into a starting catcher until he was 30 years old. Despite the late start, he managed to become an influential player in the league and leave his mark on the teams he played for.
Chirinos will be remembered as a dedicated player who held true to his passion and love for the sport throughout his career. His retirement comes at a time when the league is seeing a wave of veteran players bowing out and making way for the younger generation. As one of the last catchers to use the old-style one-handed catching glove, he will forever be a fixture in baseball history and a player fans will remember as a strong contributor to the sport.
