Sports|Baseball Players

MLB Players Who Retired In 2018

Ranker Baseball
Updated July 10, 2019 11 items
Ranked By
2.3K votes
417 voters

UPDATED: Check out the best MLB players who retired in 2019!

As top prospects and new rookies have joined the big leagues this season, there are also some big-name baseball players retiring in 2018. While MLB players typically play longer than athletes in other sports, they all can't play forever—no matter what Ichiro thinks. Nonetheless, the game of baseball must bid farewell to some of the best MLB players of all time each year—and 2018 is no different. Whether they're retiring as some of the MLB's top players or are calling it quits after a few down seasons, fans everywhere will surely miss these star players. Of all the recently retired baseball players, though, who do you think baseball will miss the most?

Perhaps one of the greatest players who left the MLB in 2018 is Andre Ethier. This long-time Dodgers veteran graced the outfield each time he suited up for a game and could even go down as one of the best hitters in the MLB. Speaking of big sluggers, Jayson Werth announced late in the 2018 season he'd be retiring as well. Other notable MLB players who retired in 2018 include second baseman Chase Utley, Brandon McCarthy, and Shane Victorino, among other greats. While baseball fans are sure to see all these players leave, many of them won't be forgotten anytime soon.

Take a look at the recently retired MLB players list below and vote up the guys you think had the best careers. You can also take a guess at who will be retiring next on the 2019 athlete retirement pool list.

  • Adrián Beltré
    1

    Adrián Beltré

    Los Angeles Dodgers (1998–2005)

    Seattle Mariners (2005–2009)

    Boston Red Sox (2010)

    Texas Rangers (2011–2018)

    • Position: Third baseman
    • Age: 45
    • Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
    161 votes
    Did this player have a good career?
  • Chase Utley
    2

    Chase Utley

    6× All-Star (2006–2010, 2014)

    World Series champion (2008)

    4× Silver Slugger Award (2006–2009)

    Philadelphia Phillies (2003–2015)

    Los Angeles Dodgers (2015–present)

    • Position: Second baseman
    • Age: 46
    • Birthplace: Pasadena, California
    180 votes
    Did this player have a good career?
  • Shane Victorino
    3

    Shane Victorino

    2× All-Star (2009, 2011)

    2× World Series champion (2008, 2013)

    4× Gold Glove Award (2008–2010, 2013)

    San Diego Padres (2003)

    Philadelphia Phillies (2005–2012)

    Los Angeles Dodgers (2012)

    Boston Red Sox (2013–2015)

    Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2015)

    • Position: Right fielder, Center fielder
    • Age: 44
    • Birthplace: Wailuku, Hawaii
    160 votes
    Did this player have a good career?
  • Jayson Werth
    4

    Jayson Werth

    All-Star (2009)

    World Series champion (2008)

    Toronto Blue Jays (2002–2003)

    Los Angeles Dodgers (2004–2005)

    Philadelphia Phillies (2007–2010)

    Washington Nationals (2011–2017)

    • Position: Right fielder
    • Age: 45
    • Birthplace: Springfield, Illinois
    144 votes
    Did this player have a good career?
  • Andre Ethier
    5

    Andre Ethier

    2× All-Star (2010, 2011)

    Gold Glove Award (2011)

    Silver Slugger Award (2009)

    Los Angeles Dodgers (2006–2017)

    • Position: Right fielder, Outfielder
    • Age: 42
    • Birthplace: Arizona, Phoenix, USA
    137 votes
    Did this player have a good career?
  • Brandon McCarthy
    • Photo:
      • user uploaded image
    6

    Brandon McCarthy

    Pitched an immaculate inning on September 17, 2014

    Chicago White Sox (2005–2006)

    Texas Rangers (2007–2009)

    Oakland Athletics (2011–2012)

    Arizona Diamondbacks (2013–2014)

    New York Yankees (2014)

    Los Angeles Dodgers (2015–2017)

    Atlanta Braves (2018)

    • Position: Starting pitcher
    • Age: 41
    • Birthplace: Glendale, California
    127 votes
    Did this player have a good career?
  • Kyle Lohse
    7

    Kyle Lohse

    World Series champion (2011)

    Minnesota Twins (2001–2006)

    Cincinnati Reds (2006–2007)

    Philadelphia Phillies (2007)

    St. Louis Cardinals (2008–2012)

    Milwaukee Brewers (2013–2015)

    Texas Rangers (2016)

    • Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
    • Age: 46
    • Birthplace: Capay, California
    114 votes
    Did this player have a good career?
  • Kris Medlen
    8

    Kris Medlen

    World Series champion (2015)

    Atlanta Braves (2009–2013)

    Kansas City Royals (2015–2016)

    Arizona Diamondbacks (2018)

    • Position: Starting pitcher
    • Age: 39
    • Birthplace: Artesia, California
    101 votes
    Did this player have a good career?
  • Brayan Peña
    9

    Brayan Peña

    Atlanta Braves (2005–2008)

    Kansas City Royals (2009–2012)

    Detroit Tigers (2013)

    Cincinnati Reds (2014–2015)

    St. Louis Cardinals (2016)

    • Position: Catcher
    • Age: 43
    • Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
    106 votes
    Did this player have a good career?
  • Luke Hochevar
    10

    Luke Hochevar

    World Series champion (2015)

    Kansas City Royals (2007–2013, 2015–2016)

    • Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
    • Age: 41
    • Birthplace: Denver, Colorado
    97 votes
    Did this player have a good career?
  • Aaron Laffey
    11

    Aaron Laffey

    Cleveland Indians (2007–2010)

    Seattle Mariners (2011)

    New York Yankees (2011)

    Toronto Blue Jays (2012)

    New York Mets (2013)

    Toronto Blue Jays (2013)

    Colorado Rockies (2015)

    • Position: Pitcher
    • Age: 39
    • Birthplace: Cumberland, Maryland
    103 votes
    Did this player have a good career?