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Mauer announces retirement after 15 seasons

Brace Hemmelgarn / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Minnesota Twins first baseman and former catcher Joe Mauer announced his retirement from professional baseball on Friday.

"After much consideration I have decided to retire from playing baseball," he wrote in an announcement, according to Phil Miller and La Velle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune. "The decision came down to my health and my family. The risk of concussion is always there, and I was reminded of that this season after missing over 30 games as a result of diving for a foul ball.

"Thank you, Minnesota Twins, and thank you, fans, for making my career as special and memorable as it was. Because of you I can leave the game I love with a full and grateful heart."

Mauer's catching career was derailed by concussion issues, which forced him to stop appearing behind the plate in 2013. He did suit up to catch one final pitch in the Twins' last game of 2018.

The 35-year-old winner of the 2009 American League MVP spent his entire 15-year-career with the Twins after they drafted him first overall in 2001. He agreed to an eight-year, $184-million extension with Minnesota in 2010, which expired at the end of this past season.

He ends his career with a slash line of .306/.388/.439 with 2,123 hits, 143 home runs, 428 doubles, and 923 RBIs in 1,858 games.

Mauer won three batting titles and also appeared in six All-Star games, winning five Silver Sluggers and three Gold Gloves, all as a catcher.

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