The career of Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder is likely over, whether they're officially calling it a retirement or not. The multiple neck injuries since his trade to Texas is what has forced the slugger to call it quits at the young age of 32. The team is expected to hold a press conference on Wednesday regarding the situation.
Sources around baseball began to talk on Tuesday that Fielder would announce his retirement. It then came out that it will not go down as an official retirement, rather that the first baseman is medically disabled. The difference between the two: money. Being medically disabled means that Fielder will still collect the $100 million of his contract that he is still owed. That includes $24 million annually through 2020.
He has not played since July 19th due to a herniation of a disk in his neck, which caused him to undergo season-ending surgery last month.
That injury was similar to a neck injury he had during his first season with the Rangers. The health issues took a toll on his numbers this year, as he hit just .212 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs this year. In 12 seasons, Fielder recorded 319 home runs, the same amount as his father, Cecil, who played 15 years in the league.
The six-time All-Star began his career with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was then signed by the Detroit Tigers as a free agent, where he had multiple playoff appearances, including one in the World Series. Fielder was then traded to Texas in 2013 for Ian Kinsler, a trade that the Tigers got the best of.
Sources around baseball began to talk on Tuesday that Fielder would announce his retirement. It then came out that it will not go down as an official retirement, rather that the first baseman is medically disabled. The difference between the two: money. Being medically disabled means that Fielder will still collect the $100 million of his contract that he is still owed. That includes $24 million annually through 2020.
He has not played since July 19th due to a herniation of a disk in his neck, which caused him to undergo season-ending surgery last month.
That injury was similar to a neck injury he had during his first season with the Rangers. The health issues took a toll on his numbers this year, as he hit just .212 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs this year. In 12 seasons, Fielder recorded 319 home runs, the same amount as his father, Cecil, who played 15 years in the league.
The six-time All-Star began his career with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was then signed by the Detroit Tigers as a free agent, where he had multiple playoff appearances, including one in the World Series. Fielder was then traded to Texas in 2013 for Ian Kinsler, a trade that the Tigers got the best of.
