The pageantry and history of baseball is something that ties generations of fans together. Over several decades, fans have gone to baseball games to unwind and watch their favorite players perform on the diamond. While it used to seem like baseball games would unfold very slowly, seasons and years would advance at a rapid rate.
It’s human nature to think that there’s always time to do certain things, but the careers of baseball players only last a finite amount of time. While it’s true that some baseball players play in the Major Leagues until they are in their 40s, the time to appreciate what they bring to the game is now.
Here are four players baseball fans should treasure before they retire.
Max Scherzer
The front of the New York Mets’ rotation is led by grizzled veterans, who are the reason why the Mets’ MLB Vegas odds to make the World Series are relatively high. The pitching staff is led by second year Met Max Scherzer, who is one of the most intense players to suit up in recent memory. He brings his A-game to every start, and is as competitive as it gets, even when he doesn’t have his best stuff.
He’s been a flamethrower ever since he was a young hurler coming up in the minor league systems of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers. While he doesn’t quite touch the speeds he did as a young thrower, Scherzer can still dial it up when he needs to. One of the best things about him is his consistency to throw pitches with 100% conviction.
Whenever he decides to hang it up, Scherzer will be remembered as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He doesn’t have much to prove, as evidenced by his three Cy Young awards and World Series championship with the Washington Nationals in 2019.
Shohei Ohtani
Baseball fans are running out of words to describe the prodigious play of Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani. His combination of talent in multiple areas of the field is something that has rarely been seen in the game’s history. It’s not an exaggeration to say that he’s just as good at holding down a lineup as he is at anchoring one at the plate.
As a pitcher, Ohtani has really hit his stride in the last few years. He has pitched to a 3.18 ERA or lower in each of the last couple seasons, including finishing fourth in the American League Cy Young award voting. After having some arm trouble early on in his MLB career, Ohtani has also been extremely durable, taking the hill every fifth day.
As a hitter, Ohtani strikes fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers in a couple of different ways. He’s always had tremendous power, as evidenced by his home run numbers throughout this career. In the last couple of years, Ohtani’s batting average has also improved, proving that he is as well rounded of a player as we have ever seen.
Adam Wainwright
When he first came up to the Major Leagues at age 23 in 2005, the St. Louis Cardinals deployed pitcher Adam Wainwright as a devastating weapon out of their bullpen. It was clear that he was destined for big things thanks to his tremendous arm, and the team used him to stifle opponents late in big games. One of the signature moments in his career came all the way back in 2006, when he froze Mets’ centerfielder Carlos Beltran on a wicked curveball to end the National League Championship Series.
For some players, it’s hard to do any better than that, but somehow, Wainwright has. In 2007, he stepped into the Cardinals’ rotation, and he’s never looked back. He should eclipse the 200-win mark for his career this season, which is something every few players in this day and age accomplish. Wainwright would like to punctuate his career the right way with a second World Series championship.
He was front and center during the farewell season in 2022 for longtime battery-mate Yadier Molina. The catcher’s retirement may mean that Wainwright will also soon hang it up. However, we will see if Wainwright will continue to play into his mid 40’s.
Joey Votto
In this day and age in the sports world, it is very unusual for a player to spend his entire career with one team. Due to financial considerations, business decisions made by front offices to move on from a player, or an individual wanting a change of scenery to compete for a World Series, this relationship between an athlete and a team is usually short-lived.
However, that has not been the case for longtime Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto. He could have decided to leave the only team he has ever known multiple times by asking for a trade. The Reds have not been very competitive for most of Votto’s tenure, which has made it all the more surprising that he’s stayed around.
Votto has completely dedicated himself to the city and the franchise. He is known as one of the most sociable players in MLB, as he loves talking with fans. It will be a sad day in Cincinnati when he decides to call it a career.
