NEW YORK – Jay Bruce had seen enough. After being on the opening list of the New York Yankees, he failed to cope with his poor start to the season.
So, the All-Star triple-player decided to retire at the age of 34, after losing 4-2 on Sunday to the Tampa Bay Rays.
“Only the poor performance was constant for me,” he said. “I felt I couldn’t do it at a level that was acceptable to me.”
Bruce briefed Yankees manager Aaron Boone on his decision during a 20-minute meeting in the manager’s office on Friday, then made a public announcement ahead of Sunday’s game.
Bruce went to spring training with the Yankees on a minor league contract and entered the Major League as a first baseman when Luke Voit suffered a broken meniscus in his left knee, earning a $ 1.35 a year contract. Millions of dollars.
He hits .118 with a home run and three RBIs in 39 appearances on set and was active during Sunday’s game. He started the first eight games at first base, but only two of the next seven.
“They put me in a lot of different and incredible situations,” Jay Bruce said as he looked back on his 14-season career.
Bruce hits .244 with 319 home runs and 951 RBIs in 14 major league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2008-16), New York Mets (2016-18), Cleveland Indians (2017), Seattle Mariners (2019), Philadelphia Phillies (2019-20) and Yankees.
“I was very lucky to set a standard throughout my career, which, frankly, was very good most of the time,” he said. “And I don’t feel that I’m able to do that and I think that was the determining factor in the decision as well. And I feel good about that decision and I feel sincerely grateful to myself because I can be honest enough. With me for It’s time to close this chapter. “
Bruce said his best memory was the late entry of the game against Tim Byrdak of the Houston Astros in 2010, who secured the 1995 Cincinnati First Division title.
“The weirdest thing is that I was 23 at the time and I thought things like that were happening all the time,” he said. “Knowing that the only time I will remember most of my career was 10 or 11 years ago is pretty crazy now. And looking back makes me appreciate everything else, because so much has happened since then. I was also included around many different and incredible situations.
“I saw Ken Griffey Jr. with 600 at home, I was part of several games without shots, great games, with the Indians I won 22 games in a row. I hit double to win the number 22. I don’t reach the top of the hill. I didn’t make it to the top. I didn’t win that World Series, but it’s okay. “
Bruce spent 43 games with the Indians in 2017 after being acquired from the Mets in a deal.
“He’s a wonderful kid,” said Cleveland manager Terry Francona. “He’s a funny boy. I’ve only been with him for a few months, but that doesn’t mean someone doesn’t like you. It was a pleasure to be with him.”
His decision to retire will cost him $ 1,219,355 for the remainder of the season. Bruce spoke proudly of signing the autograph wall at the Yankees Club, a feature of the new Yankee Stadium, which opened in 2009.
“I chose the Yankees because they are the New York Yankees and because I think the guys in that room are as capable or capable of winning a World Series as anyone,” he said. “I appreciate the opportunity the Yankees gave me to come and show that I’m healthy enough to play. And more than that, the staff here have been amazing in helping me work in every game. day to learn essentially a new position.
Bruce isn’t sure what to do next.
“My son starts kindergarten in August, so at least I’ll be commuting,” he said. “When it comes to baseball, I love baseball. I like it. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big fan of baseball. I’ve always been. I go home at night and watch baseball. And some people think that’s it. It’s crazy. Some people think it’s amazing. Who knows? “
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.