On Tuesday, the career of a veteran hitter came to an end. And it was with a rare and welcome dose of humility. One of MLB’s most versatile players has decided to hang up his cleats after nine seasons and 1,147 games. And in his retirement letter, there was love and regret.
Despite high ambitions, $8 million contract, and a promise to be the Phillies’ missing piece, the 2024 season didn’t go as planned for this star. And for that, he only has an apology. No sugarcoating, no drama.
Meet Whit Merrifield, a three-time MLB All-Star. The 36-year-old announced his retirement in a moving letter sent to Warner Sports Management. He also shared his problems with the Philadelphia Phillies directly. “Philly, I liked you way more than you liked me. Sorry, I stunk for you.” Not any PR move, but a player who knows he failed to deliver.
Congratulations on an amazing run @WhitMerrifield. We’re beyond grateful to have been a part of the journey every step of the way.#TeamWSM pic.twitter.com/MW6zgsxnXJ
— Warner Sports Management (@WSM_Baseball) June 24, 2025
The Phillies signed him in February 2024. After his incredible 2023 season with Toronto, when he hit .272/.328/.428, everyone had high hopes. But things fell apart quickly. Over 53 games in Philly, Whit hit a paltry .199/.277/.295—panic‑button performance for any team needing consistent offense. Later, the Phillies let him go on July 12, 2024, and he finished his last season with the Atlanta Braves.
Merrifield also expressed his fondness for Kansas City. He called the Royals “my first love,” and his letter shows he meant it. And why wouldn’t he! He was drafted in the ninth round of 2010 after a strong CWS campaign at South Carolina. His debut in MLB was in May 2016. Merrifield led the league twice in hits (192 in 2018 and 206 in 2019) and stole bases thrice (2017, 2018, and 2021). And everything happened with the Royals.
Whit Merrifield really stood out during his three All-Star selections in 2019, 2021, and 2023. He got his first All-Star Game in 2019 after hitting .302/.348/.463. His dynamic influence in the clubhouse was shown by his flexibility during the 2021 season, when he hit .277/.317/.395 with 10 homers, 74 RBIs, and 40 steals. As a Blue Jay, he ended another great year with a .272 average, 11 home runs, and 26 steals in 2023.
Despite the challenges of his MLB career, the spark from his college days never fully faded, inspiring moments of brilliance.
From CWS walk‑offs to big‑league stages
Before stepping onto the plate in the majors, Merrifield was more than simply a good player for South Carolina. He had an early impact as a rookie in 2008, winning SEC All-Rookie accolades and helping the Gamecocks make it deep into the postseason. His blend of contact hitting, speed, and situational awareness was a preview of what his professional career would be like.
Credits: East Village Times/ AP Photo
By the time he was a sophomore and junior, that early promise had turned into dominance. He hit an amazing .329/.389/.489 and 27 home runs—an uncommon combination of consistency and power at the college level. Not only this, he hit in 26 straight games, setting a school record. This showed the disciplined at-bat control that would later become his trademark in the MLB.
In the 2010 College World Series, he had his defining moment. In the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 2, he hit the game-winning RBI single, giving South Carolina its first national championship and ending the last game at Rosenblatt Stadium in style. That event wasn’t simply crucial in history; it was the first hint that a player loved being in the spotlight.
Those college accomplishments established a high bar that Merrifield largely met in the pros, when he made three All-Star teams, led the league in hits, and was always able to play many positions. Even though he didn’t win a title in the MLB, his career was full of the same competitive spirit that he had in college.
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