‘Forever a Champion’: Houston Astros All-Star Michael Brantley retires after 15 seasons

HOUSTON – Houston Astros’ Michael Brantley has announced his retirement from baseball after 15 seasons, Major League Baseball announced Friday.

The five-time All-Star’s retirement comes after the Astros were crowned as 2022 World Series champions. It also comes after 1,430 major league games.

The Astros congratulated Brantley for an “outstanding career,” saying he is “Forever a Champion.”

According to MLB, Brantley hadn’t played after June 26 of that season due to a fourth surgery on his right shoulder. He now heads into retirement “with gratitude about his journey -- and excitement about what lies ahead -- following a decorated career in which he batted .298 over 10 seasons in Cleveland and five in Houston,” MLB’s website said.

In 2008, Brantley was sent from Milwaukee to Cleveland to complete the trade that sent left-hander CC Sabathia to the Brewers. He made his debut in Cleveland the following season and played there through the 2018 season. He then signed with Houston, where he was on hand to hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy in 2022.

Brantley hadn’t played since late June that year following a fourth surgery on his right shoulder, but his teammates put him at the center of the celebration.

“I have young kids, and now it’s time to be a dad, first and foremost,” the five-time All-Star outfielder said in an interview with the MLB. “It’s time for me to be home 24/7, watch my kids grow up and not miss important milestones.”

He shares four children with his wife Melissa.

So what lies ahead?

Brantley said he’s already signed up to coach Little League for two of his youngest boys.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.