Longtime utility participant Charlie Culberson introduced his retirement in an Instagram post on Thursday. He thanked his followers, coaches, teammates, agent, family and friends members for all their contributions to his journey. He additionally spoke to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about his profession and what is perhaps subsequent. He has thought of teaching and broadcasting however thinks the latter is extra possible.
Now 35, Culberson was drafted by the Giants in 2007 out of highschool at 18, going 51st total. He developed right into a notable prospect, getting consideration for his potential to contribute in a number of sides of the sport and at many positions. He made it to the majors with that membership in cup-of-coffee trend. He obtained into six video games in the course of the 2012 season and hit a meager .136/.136/.136 in his 23 plate appearances.
He was despatched to the Rockies within the July 2012 trade that despatched Marco Scutaro and money issues the opposite method. Culberson obtained a bit extra taking part in time with Colorado, serving as a light-hitting utility man. Over the 2013 and 2014 seasons, he performed in 142 video games for the Rockies, hitting .227/.273/.327 whereas taking part in all 4 infield positions and the outfield corners.
2015 was principally a misplaced season for Culberson. He had surgical procedure to restore a herniated disc in his again and didn’t play within the majors. He tells Toscano that he began serious about his post-playing days, as he didn’t know if any membership would need him after the lengthy layoff.
Nevertheless, his greatest days as a participant have been nonetheless forward. He had misplaced his roster spot with the Rockies and have become a free agent, signing a minor league take care of the Dodgers going into 2016. His position with that membership was just like his time in Colorado. He obtained into 49 video games for the Dodgers over the 2016 and 2017 seasons, slashing .263/.289/.350 bouncing between the outfield corners and the three infield positions to the left of first base. Maybe probably the most memorable second of his time in Los Angeles noticed him hit a walk-off, Tenth-inning dwelling run to clinch the West division for the membership that 12 months (YouTube clip from MLB). He additionally hit an extra-inning dwelling run in Recreation Two of the 2017 World Collection to drag the Dodgers inside 7-6, although the Astros would preserve the rating there and win that recreation (YouTube clip from MLB).
In December 2017, Culberson went to Atlanta in a five-player swap primarily motivated by monetary issues. Matt Kemp was despatched to the Dodgers, whereas Culberson, Adrián González, Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy went the opposite method. This kicked off what was arguably the perfect a part of Culberson’s profession. A Georgia native, he turned a fan favourite in Atlanta after hitting a number of pinch-hit walk-off homers, incomes the nickname “Charlie Clutch” (YouTube
clips of these walk-offs from MLB).
Over the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, Culberson obtained into 221 contests for Atlanta and produced a league-average batting line of .267/.316/.457. As traditional, he bounced across the diamond, taking part in all 4 infield spots and the outfield corners, and even took the mound for mop-up responsibility a couple of instances. He was non-tendered after that 2019 season and re-signed with Atlanta for 2020 on a minors deal, ultimately stepping into 10 video games within the shortened season.
He spent 2021 and 2022 with the Rangers, doing his traditional utility. He hit .246/.292/.373 in 161 video games over these two campaigns whereas taking part in each place apart from heart discipline and catcher. He was again in Atlanta for 2023 however bounced on and off the roster and solely obtained one plate look. It was reported in January of this 12 months that he was going to aim to maneuver to the mound and signed one other minors take care of Atlanta, however he was launched in March. He tells Toscano that he is aware of he’s achieved at the moment.
Culberson wasn’t a star participant however endeared himself to many followers by his nonetheless of play and penchant for coming by means of when it counted most. He obtained into 590 large league video games and stepped to the plate 1,312 instances. He collected 300 hits, together with 30 dwelling runs. He scored 140 runs, drove in 145 and stole 21 bases. Per Baseball Reference, he earned over $5M as an enormous leaguer. MLBTR salutes him on a fantastic profession and desires him luck for no matter is over the horizon.
